Update from Catering Mark Standards Committee
12 October 2011
At its second meeting in October 2011, the Catering Mark Standards Committee approved revised proposals to move the silver and gold criteria to a points-based system.
The next step is for these proposals to go to the Soil Association’s Standards Board and Council. If approved by both boards, new applicants will be required to meet the revised standards from January 2012. A new online application system will be launched in Summer 2012.
Existing Catering Mark holders can choose to be inspected against either system during 2012. From January 2013, existing Catering Mark holders will be required to show how they meet the new standards at their next inspection.
For example, if your next inspection is due in June 2012, you will have the option to choose whether to be inspected to the new or existing standards at your 2012 inspection. At your June 2013 inspection, you will be required to show how you meet the new standards.
What is the points-based system?
The aim of the points-based system is to retain equivalently high standards to the current Catering Mark criteria, yet increase flexibility to recognise caterers’ diverse strengths and priorities.
The bronze criteria will remain fixed to provide a guarantee that all Catering Mark accredited menus are based around meals which are freshly prepared, seasonal, free from trans fats and controversial additives. From January 2012, caterers in school, early years and residential care settings will also need to demonstrate that they meet national best practice nutrition guidelines for their sector at bronze.
For the silver and gold awards the points-based system will reward every percentage increase of spend on ethical, environmentally-friendly, local and healthy food. Your ingredient spend can be calculated annually or over a menu cycle, whichever works best for you.
The revised Catering Mark standards recognise that caterers are motivated to excel in different areas, and encourage them to tell their own stories. Some gold Catering Mark holders will serve almost exclusively organic menus, others will have prioritised local sourcing or healthy eating, but all will have shown overarching commitment to serving high levels of healthy, local, free range and organic food.
A stakeholder consultation about these proposals and a series of mock inspections took place during summer 2011. Further information will be available through the Catering Mark website and e-newsletter before Christmas.
If you would like to sign up to Catering Mark e-news, please email catering@foodforlife.org.uk
