Falkirk Council gain FFLSH Bronze certification for school meals
Caterers are celebrating becoming the 17th Scottish local authority to hold the certification for their school meals service.
Congratulations to school caterers at Falkirk Council, who have achieved the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification for the local authority’s meals in 49 primary schools. Falkirk is the 17th council in Scotland to meet the nationally recognised standard for the quality, sourcing and preparing of school meals. The council serves more than 7,500 meals every school day.
Around 11,000 primary school pupils are benefitting from the changes, which include seasonal fruit and vegetables, freshly prepared soups and salads that are all available free to every child, every day, whether they have a school meal or a packed lunch.
Sarah Gowanlock, Programme Manager, Food for Life Scotland, presented the certificate to Councillor Iain Sinclair at an event at Comely Park Primary School, Falkirk. Pupils took part in lessons and activities to help them learn about healthy and seasonal eating, and the Food for Life Served Here Bronze standards. They even had a visit from healthy eating mascot Broccoli Bill to mark the occasion!
Putting the FFLSH standards into practice in schools
The Food for Life Scotland (FFLS) programme, led by Soil Association Scotland and funded by Scottish Government since 2009, provides a framework through which local authorities and public sector sites can ensure they are serving good food. This is done by meeting a set of standards to achieve the Food for Life Served Here certification at bronze, silver or gold level.
As part of the Food for Life Served Here Certification, Falkirk Council’s catering teams ensure that a minimum of 75 percent of dishes are freshly prepared from unprocessed ingredients, such as a tomato pasta sauce, which is now prepared fresh using tomatoes, carrots, peppers and herbs rather than a pre-made alternative.
Meals are also free from undesirable trans fats, sweeteners and additives, and use free range eggs, higher welfare meat and ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources.
Falkirk Council is also working with local suppliers, such as McLays Foods, to source seasonal, Scottish produce. Pupils enjoy freshly made dishes including tomato and basil pasta, steak pie with mash and green beans, and roast chicken with boiled potatoes and broccoli.
Caterers are helping make Scotland a Good Food Nation
Falkirk Council's Portfolio Holder for Education, Cllr Iain Sinclair, said: “Our catering teams take real pride in ensuring every meal is something children genuinely look forward to, and this certification is recognition of their hard work and dedication.
“It’s fantastic to see the children tucking into freshly made meals and choosing which piece of fruit they want on their tray. It’s about making meals fun and enjoyable – not just to fuel their bodies but also help fuel their learning too.”
Sarah Gowanlock, Programme Manager – Food for Life Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Falkirk Council as the latest local authority to achieve the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification for its school meals service.
“This certification is in recognition of over two years of partnership working with council caterers who took a number of steps to ensure they met each standard, such as increasing the amount of scratch cooking in Falkirk’s schools. Food for Life Served Here is a fantastic framework through which school caterers can provide food that’s better for climate, nature and health, while also supporting the local economy.
“Congratulations to Falkirk Council for putting more good food on school plates and supporting Scotland’s food businesses and Good Food Nation ambitions.”