Sustainable school meals win Good Food Award

Islington's sustainable school meals service has won a prestigious Good Food on the Public Plate

award from the Sustain alliance. The group works to promote health and welfare through sustainable farming and food initiatives, and the awards honoured the public bodies that have made changes to provide meals that are better for the environment and for animal welfare.

Over a billion meals a year are served to schoolchildren, hospital patients and the vulnerable citizens. The awards, presented on 30 November at City Hall, were given to

public sector bodies in London who have used local, seasonal and

Fairtrade food, free-range eggs and animal welfare certified produce.

Margaret Shaw, catering contracts officer at Islington Council, says, "We've been working hard to improve the sustainability of the school

meals in Islington.  All our eggs are free range, our meat comes from

British farms and the fruit and vegetables we use are locally sourced.

 The schools recycle their food waste and we're working with suppliers

to cut down on the amount of food packaging used too."

Rosie Boycott, Chair of the London Food Board, congratulated the council, saying, "The Good Food on the

Public Plate awards show off public sector caterers who are proving

their food can be delicious, healthy and good for the planet."

The journalist, farmer and food campaigner added, "Crucially, taking these steps with creativity means good food need not

cost the earth at a time when budgets are under increasing pressure.

These food champions provide a great example that other organisations should follow."

Islington Council's executive member for environment, Cllr Paul Smith, says, "Like every part of the council, our schools are playing their part in

making Islington a fairer place.  Lots of them now have their own

vegetable gardens and locally sourced produce is being used to provide

nutritional, healthy meals for Islington school children."

Good Food on the Public Plate previously focused on hospitals. The project has now been broadened to include universities, schools,

prisons, government departments, and care homes as well.The awards celebrate food that is tasty, healthy, good for the environment and good value for money. Finsburyparkpeople hopes our other local councils will follow suit and win awards in 2011.

Image:ccarlstead