BaxterStorey, hospitality provider for the sites, has achieved the Food for Life Served Here bronze award for serving food that is good for people’s health, the environment and local economy. The programme was set up to maximise the power of public sector food as a force for good and to ensure that it has a positive impact on communities across Scotland.
Scottish Government workplaces awarded include Atlantic Quay in Glasgow as well as Victoria Quay, St Andrews House and Saughton House in Edinburgh. Scottish Courts & Tribunal Service sites awarded include Glasgow Sheriff Court, Glasgow High Court, Edinburgh Sheriff Court and Parliament House. Combined, these sites serve an estimated 222,000 meals each year.
Sarah Duley, head of food, Soil Association Scotland, commented: “The team at BaxterStorey has done an amazing job of connecting with local producers and developing their menus in line with Food for Life principles. We would like to thank them for all their hard work and for showing what can be achieved in public sector catering.
“This is the first award to be given as part of the Food for Life Scotland Public Sector Expansion Pilot, and we hope that more will follow. The Food for Life Scotland team can offer support to public sector caterers in Glasgow, to follow in the footsteps of both BaxterStorey and our 17 local authority caterers.”
The bronze award recognises that a minimum of 75% of dishes are freshly prepared from unprocessed ingredients. Meals are free from undesirable trans fats, sweeteners, additives and all genetically modified ingredients. Catering teams also use free range eggs, higher welfare meat and ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources.
BaxterStorey are working with local and sustainable suppliers, including sourcing milk from Mossgiel Organic Farm. They buy Scottish vegetables from Mark Murphys and the Scottish Courts & Tribunal Service sites also use WasteKnot boxes, which include surplus seasonal vegetables that would otherwise go to waste.
Mark McCulloch, operations director at BaxterStorey Scotland, added: “I’m thrilled our teams have been recognised for their commitment to serving fresh, nutritious meals that promote health, sustain the environment, and support the local economy. We are continuously innovating our food offer and this award motivates us further to continue creating hospitality experiences that positively impact our customers and communities."