The Hampshire County Council Catering Services (HC3S) has received the ‘Good Chicken’ award from Compassion In World Farming for the use of chicken and chicken products that meet strict animal welfare criteria.
The accolade recognises HC3S’s commitment to ensuring the purchase only of higher welfare chicken, using only birds that are reared in better living conditions so that they have a longer, and healthy lifespan.
HC3S will ensure that all chicken products used in meals across Hampshire schools will be from RSPCA Freedom Food or equivalent sources by the end of 2014.
Leader of Hampshire County Council, councillor Ken Thornber, said: “This Good Chicken award is a further example of Hampshire’s commitment to quality school meals.
“It demonstrates to parents that meals are not only about providing delicious, healthy food to children, but also that we care about where our high quality ingredients come from, particularly with regard to animal welfare and sustainability.”