Council’s catering team achieves bronze award

Walsall Council's Catering Team has achieved the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association.

The award is in recognition of the healthy, nutritious meals it provides to pupils at 35 primary schools across the borough.

Food for Life Served Here is an independently assessed certification that recognises caterers for serving high-quality food, promoting healthy eating and sourcing ingredients responsibly.

The independent certification is backed by annual inspections and recognises organisations that are committed to providing good food and supporting local producers.

Food for Life Served Here certified meals are freshly prepared by trained cooks using quality ingredients. Meat is sourced from farms that meet UK animal welfare standards, eggs are free range, fish is sustainably sourced and menus make use of seasonal produce.

The Catering Team achieved the certification by meeting strict standards covering food quality, nutrition, food safety, animal welfare, seasonal menus, staff training and reducing food waste.

The achievement is particularly significant in Walsall as it complements the council's Public Health commissioned Food for Life Healthy Eating Programme in schools and communities.

Schools served by a Food for Life Served Here Bronze-certified caterer are eligible to work towards higher-level Food for Life Schools awards. Schools can progress to silver, building on bronze achievements to embed a positive food culture and involve parents and the wider community, and then gold, which recognises long-term commitment and best practice in school food.

Gold award schools help lead the way in creating healthy food environments for children and young people.

The award also supports the ambitions of Feeding Walsall's Future: The Food Plan 2025-2030, which aims to improve access to healthy, nutritious and affordable food across the borough and encourage organisations to lead by example through their food and catering services.

Councillor Nicky Barker, Deputy Leader for Walsall Council said: "Achieving the Food for Life Served Here Bronze award is a fantastic accomplishment for our Catering Team and a reflection of the high standards they deliver every day across our schools.

"This certification recognises the hard work that goes into providing nutritious, freshly prepared meals while meeting rigorous standards for food quality, sourcing, sustainability and food safety.

“Maintaining these standards across 35 primary schools is a significant achievement and demonstrates the professionalism and commitment of our catering staff.

"We are proud of the service our team provides to schools, pupils and families across Walsall. This award is well deserved recognition of their dedication, expertise and ongoing commitment to delivering quality school meals."