Are you a small business operator with less than five locations in Canada and less than 50 employees per location?
If you answered yes, you may be eligible for a suite of services to support your restaurant's participation in the Informed Dining program.
As of February 1st, 2013, the small business support program is closed and will not be accepting applications. Recipe reformulation and graphic design support will continue to be available for all restaurants participating in the program. Please email InformedDining@gov.bc.ca or call 8-1-1 to speak to a HealthLink BC dietitian about how we can support your business to implement the program.
Nutrient Analysis
Let our expert consultant assist you in completing a nutrient analysis for your standard menu items. Our experts are trained to account for factors such as cooking and processing losses to ensure your nutrient analysis is as accurate as possible. Small business operators wishing to utilize this service must have standardized recipes available electronically. For information on standardizing your recipes, please see the Guide to Small Business Support Program.
Recipe Reformulation
Whether you have already completed a nutrient analysis or have received this service through our consultants, you may notice menu items that could use a tweak such as lowering the sodium content of your signature soup. Small business operators wishing to utilize this service must have standardized recipes available electronically. For information on standardizing your recipes, please see the Guide to Small Business Support Program. Operators may also wish to call 8-1-1 to speak to a Registered Dietitian at HealthLink BC.
Graphic Design
One of the requirements to participate in the Informed Dining program is to provide your guests with nutrition information in the form of the brochure, poster or supplemental menu. Graphic design templates have been developed and are available to participating restaurants. Graphic designers are available to support small business operators that may not have access or expertise in graphic design. Small business operators wishing to utilize this service must have their nutrient analysis available electronically.
Printing Grants
For a limited time, a one-time $300 grant is available to offset the cost of reprinting menus and menu boards. Restaurant operators that meet the definition of small business (less than five locations in Canada and less than 50 employees per location) and implement the Informed Dining program are eligible for the grant. Grants are available once restaurants have met program requirements and received approval by the Ministry of Health.
Applying for Small Business Support
If you are a small business operator interested in the Informed Dining program and the suite of services available to support you, please read the Guide to Small Business Support Program to familiarize yourself with the program and what is involved.
To apply for the small business support program, a restaurant operator must complete the following steps:
- Submit an Expression of Interest Form. An Informed Dining representative will contact you to discuss the program requirements and Program Agreement (see Appendix B: Q&A Program Agreement).
- Once the Program Agreement is signed and sent to the Ministry of Health, submit a Small Business Support Program Application that includes your electronic standardized recipes.
The information on the Healthy Eating pages of the Healthy Families BC website is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment from a physican or other qualified healthcare professional.
