Sodexo has worked in partnership with the Scottish Government for over 12 years and in early 2013 applied for the award at four of the largest sites, and received silver for all four. In Edinburgh the sites are Victoria Quay, St Andrew’s House and Saughton House with Atlantic Quay in Glasgow.
To achieve silver Sodexo is required to ensure that 5% of its purchases are organic, and that some produce is free range as well as the requirements for the bronze award which include; at least 75% of the dishes on the menu are freshly prepared and all meat is from farms which satisfy UK welfare standards and can be traced back to the farm.
Derek Mackintosh, head of facilities services at the Scottish Government said: “My congratulations to Sodexo at the Scottish Government on achieving the silver Food for Life award. It is a considerable achievement to be the first workplace restaurants in Scotland to receive this award – and having worked closely with Sodexo to achieve the standard, it’s one we also take great pride in.”
Graham Box, managing director for Sodexo in Scotland added: “This is a fantastic achievement. There is a clear synergy with our commitment to provide local, fresh and seasonal produce whenever possible and the Scottish Government’s own policy on sustainable purchasing and promoting the use of local growers and suppliers.
"Over the last five years, we have managed to purchase all fresh meat, dairy and bakery produce from within Scotland, and whenever possible we source all seafood, fruit and vegetables and retail goods from within Scotland.”