Walsall school meals team wins award for feeding pupils across borough
The council catering team has been recognised for providing healthy, freshly prepared meals at 35 Walsall primary schools
A Walsall Council team providing school meals to thousands of pupils has been recognised for the quality of its food and catering standards.
The council's Catering Team has achieved Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association, recognising the meals provided to pupils at 35 primary schools across the borough.
The independently assessed award recognises caterers that provide high-quality food, promote healthy eating and source ingredients responsibly.
Meals are freshly prepared by trained cooks, with meat sourced from farms meeting UK animal welfare standards, free-range eggs and sustainably sourced fish. Menus also make use of seasonal produce.
The council team had to meet standards covering food quality, nutrition, food safety, animal welfare, seasonal menus, staff training and reducing food waste.
The certification also complements Walsall's Food for Life Healthy Eating Programme, which is commissioned by the council's public health team and works with schools and communities.
Schools served by a certified caterer can also work towards higher-level Food for Life Schools awards, progressing from bronze to silver and gold.
Councillor Nicky Barker, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said the award was a reflection of the standards delivered by the catering team across the borough.
She said: “This certification recognises the hard work that goes into providing nutritious, freshly prepared meals while meeting rigorous standards for food quality, sourcing, sustainability and food safety.
“Maintaining these standards across 35 primary schools is a significant achievement and demonstrates the professionalism and commitment of our catering staff.”
Caron Longdon, head of business development at Soil Association Food for Life, said the certification demonstrated the effort put into menus and sourcing policies.
She added that children at the 35 schools now had access to “healthy, nutritious meals made with quality ingredients”.
The award also supports the ambitions of Feeding Walsall's Future: The Food Plan 2025-2030, which aims to improve access to healthy, nutritious and affordable food across the borough.