Companies join forces for healthier café options

Healthy Food Guide and Columbus Coffee join forces for healthier café options

August 15, 2013

In a New Zealand-first initiative, two independent Kiwi companies have created a unique partnership to give this country’s large cafe-frequenting population healthier choices. Columbus Coffee customers can now buy a range of delicious menu items from the pages of Healthy Food Guide magazine in their local stores. All Healthy Food Guide menu items meet the magazine’s nutrition criteria which includes low saturated fat, low sodium and lots of vegetables.

Columbus Coffee has embraced the Healthy Food Guide philosophy that making small changes to our everyday diets can make a big difference. “Looking at obesity statistics we realise the hospitality industry has to be responsible in helping to make positive change. Kiwis spend $3.5 billion a year on cafés and restaurants, so giving them the option to eat something healthier is a small change that could help make a difference," says Graeme Tait, Managing Director of Columbus Coffee.

Columbus Coffee asked Healthy Food Guide to help them with their menu as they felt the magazine has an excellent reputation as New Zealand’s best source of nutritious and accessible recipes. They then worked together to try to create healthier options for the favourites that consumers lean towards, such as muffins, pies and sandwiches. "Menus vary seasonally and between stores and include items like muffins, soups, salads, pies and tortilla stacks. We love the fact that Healthy Food Guide puts as much effort into taste as they do into health," says Tait "Kiwis can now confidently choose healthy, great tasting options at their local café.”

This collaboration is part of an overall refresh to the Columbus Coffee brand and an enhancement of Columbus' already strong food offering, including the appointment of highly-awarded chef Sarah Primrose as Menu Development Manager. "We already pride ourselves on the fact that all our cafés have on site kitchens and a wide range of cabinet and menu food items are cooked by our chefs with fresh ingredients. Now we've made the menu even better with a wider variety of inspiring choices for all types of New Zealanders." says Tait. "With public interest in good food hitting fever pitch, we wanted to be a leader in providing consumers with a range of choices.”

"We think it is wonderful that a mainstream café is making a commitment to healthy change, and are really excited to support that," says Healthy Food Guide Editor Niki Bezzant. “Columbus Coffee has embraced the challenge of making their dishes healthier and it has the potential to pay off in the health of their café regulars. We love the fact that some of our recipes will be available in their 53 stores across the country.”

ENDS

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