National recognition for North Lincolnshire school meals

The team which provides around 5,100 school meals to 62 primary schools every day - including in the Isle – has achieved the Bronze Food for Life Catering Mark for serving fresh and healthy meals.

The Food for Life Catering Mark brings together all of the issues people care about – health, climate change and animal welfare. It recognises restaurants and caterers who serve fresh food that is free from controversial additives and better for animal welfare.

It offers a guarantee that fresh food you can trust is always on the menu, providing reassurance that it meets high standards of traceability, freshness and provenance.

Using local and farm assured produce where possible ensures a high quality menu in schools.

The cost of a school meal has remained the same as 2012 prices. At just £2.10 a day, this provides excellent value for money.

Councillor Nigel Sherwood, cabinet member for Highways and Neighbourhoods at North Lincolnshire Council, said: “We are delighted that we’ve achieved the Bronze Food for Life Catering Mark in recognition of our commitment to serving freshly prepared, seasonal meals that offer our pupils a great healthy meal every day, cooked by our great school cooks who care about the children and what they eat.

“More and more, people want to know where their food has come from and how it is produced. The Catering Mark guarantees that the food we serve is fresh, additive free and good quality.”

Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Soil Association Certification, said: “The Bronze Catering Mark is an excellent achievement which recognises the vital role that fresh, seasonal meals play in healthy, planet-friendly menus, especially for large-scale catering. It reassures customers that their meals are free from GM ingredients, trans fats and prepared from scratch.”