Foodservice Cateys 2024: Healthy Eating Champion – Christine Bailey, Thomas Franks

There can be no question that privately owned contract caterer Thomas Franks and its pioneering director of nutrition, Christine Bailey, have passionately promoted healthy food and drink choices over the past year.

Bailey has introduced several pioneering initiatives designed to elevate the health and wellbeing of employees through education, engagement and innovative food offerings. Her expertise, which combines the latest research in nutrition with practical health advice, ensures Thomas Franks continues to lead the way in fostering a healthier, more informed workforce and facilitating behavioural change through its food offerings.

The caterer’s ‘Lunch and Learn’ interactive wellbeing workshops consist of 60-minute talks focusing on the latest health and wellbeing information. Topics have included mastering stress, nutrition for brain performance and creativity, fuelling for fitness, menopause, female hormone health, men’s health, mental health, gut health, immune support and nutrition for all-day energy – ensuring there is something for each of its clients.

The company has also introduced online webinars to accommodate hybrid working and overseas branches, and these are combined with drop-in health sessions and free one-to-one nutrition clinics in client offices.

Furthermore, Bailey, who is also a trained chef, has developed a range of freshly prepared and prepackaged meals, snacks and drinks based on evidence-based nutritional research. These includes ‘brain boost’ foods that enhance cognitive function, ‘immune support’ meals that support the immune system and help lower inflammation, ‘gut healthy’ options that promote digestive health, ‘lean’ low-calorie meals for weight management, ‘fuel’ energy-boosting foods for fitness-oriented customers, and ‘plant fuel’ plant-based options.

Post-session surveys indicate that 85% of attendees found the information highly valuable and applicable to their daily lives. The hybrid approach has significantly increased participation rates, with viewership of webinars at 70% among remote employees. Thomas Franks’ business and industry clients have reported higher employee satisfaction and engagement levels, attributing this to the holistic support provided through Lunch and Learn, which has resulted in the renewal of contracts and positive testimonials.

Plus, the range has had a measurable impact on employee health. Surveys conducted among corporate clients indicated that 78% feel more energised and healthier since the introduction of the new meal options, and there has been a noticeable increase in the consumption of its ‘brain boost’ and ‘immune health’ options, particularly during peak flu season.

Bailey and Thomas Franks are a formidable combination that go above and beyond to encourage people to develop a positive, lifelong relationship with healthy, nutritious food, which rightly sees them crowned as the Healthy Eating Champion winners.

What the judges said

“Christine a great all-rounder who lives and breathes what she believes in, and a great advocate for healthy eating, who dedicates time energy and expertise to noble causes.”

Nick Vadis

See previous winners of the award here