The certification is a nationally recognised mark of quality, which ensures more than 4,000 school meals being served daily are good for pupils’ health, the environment and the local economy. Midlothian Council is the 16th Scottish local authority to achieve the award.
The Food for Life Scotland (FFLS) programme, led by Soil Association Scotland and funded by Scottish Government since 2012, provides a framework through which local authorities and public sector sites can ensure they are serving good food.
This is done by meeting a set of standards to achieve the Food for Life Served Here award at bronze, silver or gold level. As part of the Food for Life Served Here Award, Midlothian Council’s catering teams ensure that a minimum of 75% of dishes are freshly prepared from unprocessed ingredients.
Meals are also free from undesirable trans fats, sweeteners and additives, and use free range eggs, higher welfare meat and ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources. School meals are an important nutritional safety net for Scotland’s children.
Councillor Dianne Alexander, cabinet member with responsibility for community facilities, said: “For a future healthy nation, it is very important that our children get a good heathy start in life, and I am glad to see our children are being provided with healthy nutritious meals.
“It is also good for our environment and local economy that we are working with local suppliers to source seasonal, Scottish produce for our school meals. Achieving this award is good for our pupils’ health, good for the environment and good for the local economy. The council will now work towards attaining the silver level award.”
Midlothian Council is also working with local suppliers, such as Campbell Brothers and George Anderson and Sons, to source seasonal, Scottish produce. Pupils enjoy freshly made dishes including campfire chilli with rice and sweetcorn, homemade tomato pasta with mixed vegetables, and steak pie with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables.
Sarah Duley, head of food at Soil Association Scotland, added: “This is a huge achievement that shows the commitment of caterers to providing pupils with a hot, nutritious meal made with fresh, local and sustainable ingredients. Congratulations to Midlothian Council for putting more good food on school plates, supporting Scotland’s food businesses and Good Food Nation ambitions.”