Bath and North East Somerset has become the latest community to embrace the Sugar Smart UK initiative, helping residents to make informed choices about their food and drink.

Radstock and Westfield, through Big Local, has become a flagship neighbourhood, with a community-led programme of activities reaching young and older residents.

Sugar Smart launched in our community during the Round-about Radstock event last Saturday, embracing the rain to be part of the free family fun day which brought together thoughtful, entertaining and tongue-in-cheek activities, performances, live music and a mini-market.

Sugar Smart is a collaborative campaign between the Jamie Oliver Food Foundation and charitable alliance for better food and farming – Sustain. There are resources to help businesses, organisations and individuals take Sugar Smart pledges, and commit to reducing the amount of sugary goods on offer. There is a free app for your devices which enables you to scan your way to making healthier food choices.

We know that adults on average eat twice as much sugar as is recommended, and children eat three times as much! We at Big Local want to make a grass roots level change to the food choices we make through education and fun.

With support from the Radstock Co-operative Society, the Radstock and Westfield Human fruit machine can be found next at the Westfield Fun Day on Sunday, 4th June from 12 noon until 4 p.m., where we will be inspiring you to think about your snack choices and encouraging you to drink water which could surprise you!

Find out more about the Sugar Smart campaign and how you can get involved via the Radstock and Westfield Big Local Facebook page.

Sarah Westell