The award provides an independent endorsement that food providers are taking steps to improve the food they serve, using ingredients that are local, additive-free, freshly prepared on site, and sourced sustainably.
According to the Soil Association, there are currently more than 1.7 million of these meals being served every day across 10,000 UK schools.
Through its campaign, parents will be able to see if their child’s school serves Food for Life using an interactive online map. They can nominate schools who don’t already hold an award which will then be shared with the schools.
Ian Nutt, head of programme development at the Soil Association, said: “This month is about celebrating our existing caterers, giving them the opportunity to shout about what they do, as well as an opportunity to raise awareness of the award to help us grow even more.
“School caterers make a valuable contribution to maintaining healthy diets in children; and as schools are places of learning, they can also help develop knowledge of food and diet that is beneficial throughout life.
“Having a Food for Life Served Here Award means they can make a statement to parents about their commitment to delivering food that is fresh, seasonal and sustainable.
“Now is an opportune moment for more caterers to sign up: as a nation we’re placing increasing value on food that is local, traceable and supports the environment. Plus, school food is in people’s minds with the recent news that Universal Infant Free School Meals are being continued.”
Food for Life Served Here has been cited by the Department for Education as a way to improve school food, and by Government’s Plan for Public Procurement as a way to guarantee a good score across the plan’s balanced scorecard.
The award comes in bronze, silver and gold relating to just how organic and locally sourced the ingredients used are.