James turns a corner in his career with mobile healthy eating shop

FROM the outside it looks just like any other van.

Open the swing-up doors, however, and it soon becomes clear that this is far from your ordinary Transit, but it's a mobile one-stop shop for healthy eating.

The Foodness! van has been created by former business analyst James Norris, 32, from Leith, who plans to take it to the streets, helping people across the Capital get access to healthier foods.

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Mr Norris worked in investment banking for ten years in Edinburgh, but earlier this year decided to change his life completely and give up on another long-term plan he held with his wife.

"I wanted to make a positive contribution to people's lives by promoting healthy eating," he said. "In June, we were on a break in Skye and that's when I decided to start the business up here so I handed in my notice.

"We had intended to travel around South America. The pipe dream was to move to Colombia and set up a healthy food cafe, but in reality it proved too much of a challenge, too much of a change."

To make his dream a reality, however, he needed a van. This couldn't be just any van and Mr Norris had to scour the country from the Highlands to London before he eventually found the perfect vehicle in October. Since then he has fitted out the interior with everything his business needs.

At first glance, the second-hand van looks quite ordinary, until the doors lift upwards to reveal a plethora of healthy foods. In the professional catering van there is a Fair Trade fresh ground coffee machine, oven, fridge - all that is missing is the kitchen sink, which Mr Norris explained is unnecessary because he prepares all his food at The Pond in Leith.

He is now planning to take the healthy eating message to the people, heading to local workplaces at lunchtime to offer people freshly-made food sourced from local ingredients.

"There doesn't have to be a compromise between healthy and tasty food," he said.

"We use locally sourced, seasonal produce where possible."

Not only are the ingredients locally sourced and healthy, even the packaging is "healthy", supplied by Edinburgh company Vegware and fully recyclable.

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Mr Norris hasn't always been an advocate of a healthy lifestyle, but since he started rock-climbing four years ago he has embraced healthy eating and healthy living.

"To rock climb you need to be strong and light," he said. "I was tired of the generic, unhealthy options available for lunch, so I just used to make my own.

"I've always had a keen interest in health and fitness, and I also love cooking, so it was from this that the Foodness! concept was born. It took a long time to build up the courage to leave the security of my nine-to-five behind but I'm relishing this new challenge."

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