Sustainable food for school meals

In order for the council to gain a better understanding of the issues surrounding food procurement, a team of internal and external organisations were brought together to form the 'Food for School Meals Group'. The aim of the partnership is to explore the possibility of increasing fresh, seasonal, and organic produce within the school meals service. It also aims to trial methods of increasing the uptake of healthy meals in schools.

Work is in progress with all stages of the supply chain for various food products from producer to consumer to increase the efficiency of food in schools.

• The new fresh fruit and vegetable contract has just been let to two suppliers, Chester's Choice in Wem and Grinnels in Stourport. This tender has been subject to a programme of work trying to think about more sustainable supply methods, see "increasing efficiency from grower to eater project". These new suppliers are committed to working with us to provide a good service and supplying healthy and sustainable products, many of which will come from the local area when in season.
• The fresh meat, sausage and egg contract was awarded in May 2007 to Morgans Butcher and Andrew Francis.
• A general food procurement event was held in November 2006, designed to promote public procurement and demystify the tender process, further events were held in advance of the fruit and vegetable and the meat contracts to give specific information about the tender process.
• Increasing Efficiency from Grower to Eater project, food supply chain improvements in Shropshire.
• New school menus have been designed which incorporate these ingredient changes and an increase in fresh, seasonal vegetables.
• A new Food Strategy has been created which aims to provide a standard for all county council catering services. It will act as guidance for all schools in Shropshire (whether sourcing the service independently or through Shire Services).
• A series of farm visits were arranged by the Primary Care Trust to promote sustainable healthy eating choices.
• New tenders for food and catering services including sustainability contract clauses. These aim to reduce the environmental impact of the service. For example, minimising waste or reducing climate change emissions from transportation.
• A nutritionist was brought on board to examine our school current menus; to suggest changes; and to produce a list of additives and products to avoid.
• Two schools took part in the soil association's 'food for life' trials. These aim to educate children and parents through workshops and meetings in order to improve nutritional standards and to try to achieve the following targets: 75% unprocessed food; 50% local food; and 30% organic food within the school meals. The trials are ongoing in order for us to evaluate the cost-benefit of this excellent, well balanced model.
• A further four schools are sourcing food locally, and linking education opportunities between the kitchen and the classroom.
• A group of 50 cooks were trained and made aware of the 'food for life' targets. A small cooks group meets to share ideas and ways to encourage children to eat more healthily.
• A meeting was held between our current wholesalers and local producers to discuss the barriers and solutions to local produce entering the wholesale supply market. This resulted in a better understanding of the processes involved and an increase in local producers supplying to wholesalers within the region. This work is ongoing through a defra funded project with the soil association aimed at examining supply side issues.

The partnership consists of:

• The Shropshire Rural Hub.
• The Food and Farming team at Advantage West Midlands.
• The Food for Life team at the Soil Association.
• The Heart of England Fine Foods.
• The Family Food Project, Primary Care Trust.
• The NFU and internal County Council representatives from education and Shire Services (schools catering).

To find out more about the various organisations that are involved in the food for school meals project follow the links on this page to view their websites.

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