Food outlets strike gold for healthy eating

Two Hertfordshire food businesses have earned gold awards for their commitments to supporting local health and protecting the environment.

The Herts Responsible Food Award (HRFA) team at Hertfordshire County Council granted the accolades to SOKA Catering and Events and Mudlarks Garden Café, the first East Herts business to receive an HRFA.

Both impressed with their use of local and seasonal produce, the wide variety of healthier options available and their use of whole, unprocessed foods.

Henry and Natalie Jacob, founders of SOKA Catering and Events, said: “We are so very proud to share that Hertfordshire County Council has awarded us with a Gold Herts Responsible Food Award.

“Creating menus that promote healthy eating has always been something we are passionate about, as well as limiting our waste, sourcing locally and supporting small producers.

“We believe all of these efforts result in a better product for our clients and we continue to strive for more sustainable practices that limit our impact on the environment and provide our customers with delicious, healthy food.”

Mudlarks was the first business of 2025 to receive an HRFA for their commitment to using locally grown and seasonal food, the majority of which is grown in Mudlarks’ own allotment less than a mile away.

The food on offer is also very impressive, with a wide variety of vibrant and healthy food options available for any dietary requirements.

Vic Broscomb, CEO at Mudlarks, said:

“At Mudlarks, we are passionate about diets that are in line with nature and full of fresh fruit and vegetables. The health benefits of eating fresh foods are well known, reducing weight and protecting against diseases and, of course, they are much tastier than processed foods.

“Our allotment vegetables have no packaging, delivered fresh in reusable containers, which means we have no environmental impact through plastic waste. And as our food is only transported a mile from the allotments to the cafe, our environmental impact as a result of transport is minimal.

“Our cafe menus change according to the food that is in season, adapting to the produce coming from our allotments.

Our polytunnels enable us to grow salad crops and herbs throughout the year, and in the summer our allotments produce bumper crops, as well as beautiful flowers for the cafe tables.

“We were delighted to see that Hertfordshire County Council was supporting businesses that strive to provide healthy and nutritious food, and we really hope that more cafes and restaurants will apply for the awards.”

For further information on the Herts Responsible Food Award, including how Hertfordshire businesses can apply, visit: www.Hertfordshire.gov.uk/HRFA