FFLS Public Sector Expansion shows huge progress
The Food for Life Scotland programme is marking the success of its public sector expansion, with seven new public sector sites gaining the Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) certification in the 2024–25 year.
FFLSH-certified public sector sites now include care homes and tourist attractions, joining the courts, workplaces and education sites in Scotland that had previously gained the award. That’s in addition to the Scottish local authorities that hold the FFLSH-certification at either bronze, silver or gold – including Midlothian Council and Renfrewshire Council, which both were awarded the bronze certification for their school meals services this year.
New public sector sites include Scottish Parliament (Sodexo), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Heritage Portfolio), and West Dunbartonshire Council care homes Crosslet House and Queen’s Quay. Scottish Government workplaces in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Glasgow Caledonian University (BaxterStorey) all upgraded to the FFLSH Silver award.
These successes, and many more, are highlighted in the Food for Life Scotland programme’s impact report 2024–25. The new report captures the scale and impact of Food for Life Scotland’s work in supporting local authorities and the public sector to serve fresh, local and sustainable meals, and to get more Scottish produce on to the public plate.
Key figures from the report include:
- 114,702 FFLSH-certified school meals served daily in Scotland’s schools.
- 1,554 FFLSH-certified sites in Scotland
- 17 Scottish local authorities holding the FFLSH certification at bronze, silver or gold
- 7 public sector certification holders through the Food for Life Scotland public sector expansion.
Sarah Duley, Co-Director and Head of Food at Soil Association Scotland, said: “This year’s Impact Report reflects the dedication of caterers in Scotland’s schools and the wider public sector to getting more fresh, local and sustainable food on to the public plate. We’re delighted to work so closely with so many inspirational cooks, caterers and suppliers who are making the most of Scotland’s natural larder.
“The Food for Life Served Here certification is a fantastic framework for caterers to deliver meals that are better for the climate, nature and health. This year’s report sums up the difference we’re making together for health, the environment and the local economy, as well as our collective contribution to making Scotland a Good Food Nation.”
The 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 FFLSH certification at bronze, silver or gold level. Since 2024, Food for Life Scotland’s remit has expanded to support caterers to achieve the certification in the wider public sector. The expansion means the team’s support is now also open to hospital settings, prisons and publicly run leisure facilities and visitor attractions.