Walsall Council’s Catering Team has achieved the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification from the Soil Association in recognition of the healthy, nutritious meals it provides to pupils at 35 primary schools across the borough.
Food for Life Served Here is an independently assessed certification that recognises caterers for serving high-quality food, promoting healthy eating and sourcing ingredients responsibly. The independent certification is backed by annual inspections and recognises organisations that are committed to providing good food and supporting local producers.
Food for Life Served Here certified meals are freshly prepared by trained cooks using quality ingredients. Meat is sourced from farms that meet UK animal welfare standards, eggs are free range, fish is sustainably sourced and menus make use of seasonal produce.
The Catering Team achieved the certification by meeting strict standards covering food quality, nutrition, food safety, animal welfare, seasonal menus, staff training and reducing food waste.
The achievement is particularly significant in Walsall as it complements the council’s Public Health commissioned Food for Life Healthy Eating Programme in schools and communities. Schools served by a Food for Life Served Here Bronze-certified caterer are eligible to work towards higher-level Food for Life Schools awards. Schools can progress to silver, building on bronze achievements to embed a positive food culture and involve parents and the wider community, and then gold, which recognises long-term commitment and best practice in school food. Gold award schools help lead the way in creating healthy food environments for children and young people.
The award also supports the ambitions of Feeding Walsall’s Future: The Food Plan 2025-2030, which aims to improve access to healthy, nutritious and affordable food across the borough and encourage organisations to lead by example through their food and catering services.
“ Achieving the Food for Life Served Here Bronze award is a fantastic accomplishment for our Catering Team and a reflection of the high standards they deliver every day across our schools.
This certification recognises the hard work that goes into providing nutritious, freshly prepared meals while meeting rigorous standards for food quality, sourcing, sustainability and food safety. Maintaining these standards across 35 primary schools is a significant achievement and demonstrates the professionalism and commitment of our catering staff.
We are proud of the service our team provides to schools, pupils and families across Walsall. This award is well deserved recognition of their dedication, expertise and ongoing commitment to delivering quality school meals.” “
Councillor Nicky Barker, Deputy Leader
Walsall Council
“ We are delighted to have awarded Walsall Council School Meal Service with the Food for Life Served Here bronze certification. This is a clear demonstration of the effort Walsall has put into its menus and sourcing policies, ensuring children at 35 schools across the borough have access to healthy, nutritious meals made with quality ingredients. The certification also recognises the team’s commitment to responsible sourcing and high standards across its school meals service. We are pleased to continue our partnership with the team at Walsall and would like to pass on our congratulations at their achievement. “
Caron Longdon, Head of Business Development
Soil Association
To read more about the Walsall Food Plan, visit the Walsall Council website.
Over 1.6 million Food for Life Served Here meals are served across the UK each day in early years settings, schools, further and higher education, visitor attractions, cafes and events spaces, workplaces, hospitals and care homes.
Food for Life is part of the Soil Association, a UK-wide sustainable food and farming charity which aims to protect nature by transforming how people eat and farm.
Food for Life is commissioned by Walsall Council Public Health to deliver the Food for Life Healthy Eating programme.
Food for Life Served Here certified caterers undergo an annual independent inspection.
Walsall schools who would like to find out more about the Food for Life accreditation and get involved in the programme can contact Jenine Hadley (jhadley@soilassociation.org).
The Food for Life Served Here standards for the bronze certification include:
Caterers can demonstrate their compliance with national guidelines on food and nutrition.
All suppliers have been verified to ensure they apply appropriate food safety standards.
At least 75% of dishes are cooked from scratch.
Prioritise serving more vegetables, pulses and vegetarian meals.
All meats from farms which satisfy UK animal welfare standards.
Fish must be rated 1-4 by the Marine Conservation Society.
Eggs are from free-range birds.
No undesirable additives, artificial sweeteners or artificial trans fats are used.
No genetically modified ingredients are used.
Menus are seasonal and in-season produce is highlighted.
Information is on display to explain where your food comes from.
Food waste reduction strategies are in place.
Catering staff are supported with skills training in fresh food preparation for Food for Life Served Here.