The award is the Soil Association’s highest accolade in its accreditation scheme. To achieve the award, Eden underwent a rigorous audit to ensure its menus met the highest standards of traceability, provenance and freshness.
Clare McDermott, business development director, Food for Life Catering Mark said, “Eden Foodservice has long been committed to sourcing and serving good quality, fresh, healthy and sustainable food. This was highlighted in 2014, with its decision to achieve the Silver Catering Mark award for all of its primary schools; the first caterer to achieve this at such scale.
“The recent upgrade to Gold for Eden’s Cornwall and Bristol contracts shows just how seriously the company takes its food quality and provenance, and the benefits this provides to pupil health and attainment, local and British producers, and sustainable farming systems.”
Menus in Eden’s Bristol and Cornwall schools incorporate a range of ingredients from the South West including Yeo Valley yoghurt and St Ewes farm free-range eggs.
Rachael Venditti, development manager at Eden said: “We have been a supporter of the Catering Mark from its inception and were one of only a handful of companies to achieve the first Food for Life award in 2009.
“By serving menus to Gold Catering Mark standards, we are not only providing high-quality and sustainable meals for our customers. We’re also supporting local businesses and serving food which is better for the environment.”
Eden Foodservice delivers catering at 337 primary and secondary schools throughout the UK.