Mornington Peninsula Shire

2017 Best Bites Food Guide

Contents

Subject Page Number

Our Council’s Commitment2

Introduction and Overview4

About This Guide5

2015 Best Bites Award Winners7

Program Supporters12

Business Directory16

Our Council’s Commitment

The local food industry has a very important role on the Peninsula in providing safe and healthy food to thousands of residents and visitors each day. The quality and diversity of foods on offer is one of the main attractions for visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Shire is committed to assisting food businesses and consumers through the Best Bites Food Guide.

This is an important initiative to ensure that safe and healthy food is sold, and to support and promote local food businesses.

It will assist consumers by increasing the number of food businesses who provide to their customers –

  • Healthy eating options
  • Allergen information
  • Smoke free outdoor dining areas
  • Safe liquor service and consumption
  • Premises that are accessible to all patrons

Best Bites also assists the Shire’s strong commitment to carbon neutral by encouraging local food businesses to reduce waste generation and energy and water consumption.

Please support this exciting program and consider the businesses in this guide when buying food or dining out on the Mornington Peninsula

Introduction & Overview

Mornington Peninsula Shire introduced the Best Bites Food Guide to all local food businesses during 2011. This program involves assessments of food businesses on measures they have in place to:

  1. Provide safe and healthy food;
  2. Use environmentally sustainable business practices;
  3. Provide safe and accessible food premises

Food businesses that have received a five star (95-100%) food safety rating are eligible to apply for assessment and recognition for any or all of the following programs –

Nutrition & Healthy Eating

Waste & Recycling

Energy & Water Efficiency

Tobacco & Alcohol Compliance

Access for All

The most outstanding local food businesses in each of these areas were celebrated during the 2015 Best Bites Food Awards

About This Guide

Each food business in this guide has been assessed by a Shire Environmental Health Officer for food safety standards and received a score of 95% or above. Gold, silver or bronze certification has been awarded depending on the food safety assessment result. Food allergen information is available to customers, and each business complies with the Shire’s Local Laws and the Mornington Peninsula Planning Scheme.

Businesses are listed in the guide by region (Hinterland, Northern Peninsula, Southern Peninsula, Western Port) and by type (eg. Café, Restaurant). Each business in the guide has been issued a Best Bites certificate and window sticker and has been offered assessment in the following areas:

1. Healthy Eating – Each business must follow the Heart Foundation’s Healthy Catering guidelines and provide healthy eating options in line with Australian Dietary Guidelines.

2. Tobacco and Alcohol – Businesses must meet State Government tobacco requirements and outdoor dining areas must be smoke-free. Licensed premises must have received a 3, 4 or 5 star rating from the Victorian Commission for Liquor and Gambling Regulation

3.Recycling and Waste – Each business must have programs in place to reduce the amount of waste generated. This could include recycling, composting of food scraps, and the use of recycled packaging

4.Energy and Water – Each business must improve resource efficiency through water saving plumbing fixtures and energy efficient lighting and appliances. Wastewater from the business must not discharge into drains or waterways

5. Access for All– Business should provide access and resources for all customers, including those with a physical, intellectual or other disability, and is working towards accreditation with the Australian Breastfeeding Association

This guide is correct at time of printing (November 2016).

The electronic version of this guide is available on the Shire’s web site and is regularly updated as more businesses become eligible. To access the on-line guide please log on to the Shire’s web page at Go To Morrnington Peninsula Shire Web Site or contact the Shire’s SeniorEnvironmental Health Officer Peter O’Brien at Email Peter O'Brien

2015 Best Bites Food Awards

The winners of the 2015 Bites Food Awards were announced at the annual Best Bites dinner on 3rd May 2016 dinner and presented with their awards by Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Councillor Graham Pittock on 9th May 2016. An independent panel, including members of the Best Bites Steering Committee, judged the finalists to decide the winner in each category. An independent panel, including members of the Best Bites Steering Committee, judged the finalists to decide the winner in each category.

Blairgowrie Yacht SquadronandHummingbird Eco RetreatRed Hill were joint winners of theRestaurant of the Yearfor their excellence in nutrition and healthy eating, tobacco control, waste and recycling, energy and water efficiency and access for all. Ange Barry, CEO of theStephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundationpresented St Josephs Primary School with their award in the Child Care/School Canteen category.Merchant and MakerMcCrae andMerricks General WineStorewere joint winners of theCafé of the Year

Other category award winners were –

Aged Care - Delivered Meals Service Rosebud

Bed and Breakfast - Harmony Bed and BreakfastFingal

Supermarket – Ritchies IGA Mt Eliza

Take Away - Palamara FruitsMt Eliza

Innovation - Joint winners wereMerchant and Makerin McCrae andMock Orchardsin Red Hill

Foxey’s Hangoutin Red Hill was awarded thePeople’s Choice Awardfor food businesses that were nominated by local food consumers.

These food businesses were the finalists of the 2015 Best Bites Awards:

Restaurant:
Barmah Park Wines Moorooduc
Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
Hummingbird Eco Retreat Red Hill
Ting Tong Kanteen Balnarring
Woodman Estate Moorooduc

Café:
Just Fine Food Sorrento
Merchant and Maker McCrae
Merricks General Wine Store
Sandwich King Hastings
Tilly’s at Tyabb

Aged Care:
Delivered Meals Service Rosebud
Freedom Aged Care Dromana
George Vowell Aged Care Centre Mt Eliza
Shoreham House Aged Care

Bed and Breakfast:
Harmony Bed and Breakfast Fingal

Mt Martha B&B By the Sea
Orchard Luxury Accommodation Red Hill

School Canteen/Child Care:
Balnarring Early Learning Centre
Capel Sounds Educational Child Care Centre
St Joseph’s Primary School Crib Point
Toorak College Mt Eliza
Western Port Child Care Hastings

Supermarket:
Aldi Hastings
Aldi Mornington
Ritchies Balnarring
Ritchies Mt Eliza

Take Away:
Cackleberry Farm Hastings
Helios Dromana
La Casa Nostra Deli Rosebud
Palamara Fruits Mt Eliza
Point Leo General Store
Yo My Goodness Mornington

Innovation:
Green Olive at Red Hill
La Casa Nostra Deli Rosebud
Merchant and Maker McCrae
Mock Orchards Red Hill
Peninsula Health Community Health
Portsea Hotel

Program Supporters

The 2017 Best Bites Food Guide was developed by Mornington Peninsula Shire with the support and assistance of a steering committee including:

Peninsula Health – Community Health: Peninsula Health Community Health provides a broad range of affordable services for people living in Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. These services aim to keep you active and healthy, as well as providing treatment and advice to help you regain their health

Any person of any age can access services. You can self-refer or be referred by your GP, Health Worker or other service. If you are interested in any of our services or groups, please contact an Access Worker on 1300 665 781

Western Port Biosphere Reserve: In 2002, the United Nations proclaimed the Western Port region a UNESCO biosphere reserve. Biosphere reserves aim to keep special places—like Western Port—special by fostering conservation and sustainable development. The non-profit Western Port Biosphere Foundation does this through research, education, community engagement, partnerships and on-ground conservation efforts. The Foundation is a proud supporter of Best Bites as a way to foster sustainable food business practices throughout the Western Port Biosphere region. For further details go to Go To Biosphere Web Site

Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group:Is responsible for waste management and planning in Melbourne andworks with Victorian business to manage waste and recover resources from the commercial sector, including food businesses.

Metropolitan Waste and Resource Recovery Group can provide assistance to business to develop a waste management policy and undertake waste audits to reduce waste disposal cost and improve resource recovery. For further details Go To Metro Waste Web Site

Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation: The purpose of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation is to introduce pleasurable food education to children during their learning years, in order to form positive food habits for life. The Foundation works closely with like-minded organisations across the country to achieve a better outcome for the health and wellbeing of Australian children. For further information GO To Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation Web Site

MP Tourism: The local food industry has a very important role on the Peninsula in providing safe and healthy food to thousands of residents and visitors each day. The quality and diversity of foods on offer is one of the main attractions for visitors to the Mornington Peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Tourism promotes tourism throughout the region and represents accredited tourism businesses including over 50 cafes, restaurants and wineries. Mornington Peninsula Tourism supports the Best Bites Food Guide as a way to assist these businesses and to provide information to visitors on safe, healthy and sustainable food on the Mornington Peninsula.

SecondBite: Provide access to fresh, nutritious food for people in need across Australia. This is done by rescuing and redistributing surplus fresh food and advocating for an end to food insecurity. Excess food is rescued from many Mornington Peninsula food retailers and producers each day and provided to 4 Fresh Food Programs, 10 different food relief agencies and over 300 people each week.

To contact SecondBite Go To SecondBite web site

All Abilities Consultative Committee: This committee of community members and volunteers works with the Shire to improve access to services, programs and infrastructure for people with disabilities on the Mornington Peninsula. Planning for the inclusion of people with disabilities, their families and carers in community life is an important part of the work it undertakes.

Mornington Peninsula Produce (MPP): This certified trade mark, developed by Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Food Industry Advisory Body, will help consumers confirm the provenance of fresh produce when purchasing from the farm gate, farmers’ markets and retail outlets.

The Mornington Peninsula Produce website ( has a searchable directory of all MPP registered producers and their produce. MPP members are also listed in the Best Bites guide

Monash University School of Nutrition and Dietetics:

The Department offers undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Nutrition and Dietetics, and Nutrition Science.

Together a multi-disciplinary team work to enhance the student learning experience and provides a rich opportunity to undertake research in a range of areas. This team provides invaluable advice and support for the healthy eating area of Best Bites, including menu assessments and award judging

Business Directory

This year’s Best Bites Food Guide helps consumers to source locally grown, healthy, affordable food by listing local food producers, farmers markets, shopping centres and food retailers. All of the listings are accurate at the time of printing (November 2016)

Accredited Farmers Markets

Mornington Farmers Market, Mornington Park 2nd Saturday of each month 9am to 2pm. Contact 0401 026 687

Mt Eliza Farmers Market, Mt Eliza Way Mt Eliza, 4th Sunday of each month 8am to 1pm. Contact 0429 398 684

Local Food Producers

Go to the on-line Best Bites Food Guide at Go To Best Bites web site

Shopping Centres

Rosebud Plaza Shopping Centre

Cnr Boneo Rd & McCombe St ROSEBUD

Phone (0359) 502400

Mornington Village Shopping Centre

241 Main St MORNINGTON

Phone (0359) 75 5702

Mornington Central Shopping Centre

78 Barkly Street Mornington

Phone(0359) 76 1299

Bentons Square Shopping Centre

Corner Bentons Road & Dunns Road MORNINGTON

Phone 59 735331

Balnarring Village Shopping Centre

3050 Frankston-Flinders Road BALNARRING

Dromana Hub Shopping Centre

217-251 Point Nepean Road DROMANA VIC 3936

Food Retailers:

For a list of all Best Bites food businesses go to the on-line Best Bites Food Guide on the Mornington Peninsula Shire web site.

It can be viewed on your mobile or tablet device.

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