Case study detail
Food for Life
Contributed by:
Jo Colwell
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The Food for Life project is introducing local, fresh produce into schools in the Scottish Highlands. The project is run with the support of the Soil Association.
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Overview
The Highland Council is true example of excellent practice with it’s school meals. In particular this case study outlines the pilot project ‘Food for Life’ which was launched in September 2005. With the support of the Soil Association, the Council is currently piloting the Food for Life initiative in both Strathpeffer and Strathgarve primary schools - complimenting the principles of the Scottish Executive’s Hungry for Success initiative.
The Council takes pride in the extent to which local produce is already used in the provision of school meals – with supplies of beef, lamb, venison and salmon sourced locally; local, organic carrots regularly on the menu in all schools; and seasonal, fresh fruit and vegetables supplied as much as possible.
Food for Life is a natural extension of these ongoing developments in food procurement within the Council’s catering service, with the scheme demanding that produce conform to three key measurements:
• 75% non processed food
• 50% local produce
• 30% organic produce
The target of 75% for non-processed foods is being achieved in ALL primary school meals, however the Strathpeffer pilot concentrates on meeting all the specific targets of Food for Life – particularly increasing the organic content. Organic produce which has been introduced as part of the pilot includes eggs, milk, fresh fruit & veg and a variety of dry goods.
Norma Murray, The Highland Council’s Catering & Cleaning Manager, said:
"I am delighted that we have been able to extend our product range of both local and organic produce. The project has created keen interest among local suppliers, and we hope to be able to build upon this to the benefit of all Highland schoolchildren."
Pam Rodway, Co-ordinator, Food for Life Scotland, said:
"The combination of Hungry for Success and Food for Life can offer far-reaching changes to the way children eat and think about food and to the way the local economy is involved in delivering meals to schools. Education forms another important element of Food for Life and we encourage schools to talk about food and farming and visit organic farms. Visits to the school by local suppliers have illustrated the link from farm to fork and there has been an enthusiastic response to the challenges set by Food for Life."
Working alongside the Soil Association, the Food For Life programme was established in 2003 to run a pilot project in a few primary schools in England and Wales who were keen to upgrade their menus, source new suppliers and cultivate a healthy food culture has been running since 2003 in schools. Strathpeffer Primary School in Highlands and Hurlsford Primary School in East Ayrshire have been selected to pilot the scheme in Scotland.
Through the Scottish Executive’s initiative, "Hungry For Success", Scotland is well ahead of the rest of the UK in providing healthier school meals. "Food For Life" compliments this work by linking nutritional standards with the targets of sourcing local and organic food where possible.
Key features
consumption
food
health
Key data
Project Team:
Cost:
Local Authority:
Links
Soil Association
The Highland Council
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