The Food for Life Served Here award is given to organisations for their commitment to serving meat from farms that satisfy UK animal welfare standards, including free-range eggs and high-welfare meat.
Since achieving the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here bronze award for their school meals last November, 95% of fresh butcher meat and 88% of all meat served in West Lothian’s primary schools is now sourced from Scotland.
West Lothian Council sources fresh butcher meat from Linlithgow based Campbell’s Prime Meats is now Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI and Specially Selected Pork.
Tom Conn, executive councillor for the environment at West Lothian Council, said: “Our school meals have always sought to provide pupils with a healthy, balanced meal but we have made huge strides forward over the past year, which we’re very proud of.
“Being part of FFL helps our children to have a healthier and more sustainable diet, it also delivers clear benefits for the local economy. West Lothian food producers can be proud that their fresh products are ending up on the dinner plates of local school children, which is good news for everyone.”
The Scottish Government has supported the Food for Life Scotland programme since 2012, with the aim of supporting councils to get more Scottish food onto school dinner plates and to serve healthy, sustainable meals.
Sarah Duley, head of food at Soil Association Scotland offered her congratulations: “The commitment of West Lothian Council to increase local sourcing as part of their Food For Life Served Here bronze award has been outstanding.
“By working with local suppliers, such as Campbell Prime Meats, the council is supporting the local economy, reducing food miles, and supplying top quality Scottish food for the primary school children of West Lothian.”