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Education catering specialist Aspens has received the top accolade for its school meals – the Soil Association’s Gold Food for Life Catering Mark.

Over 500 meals are now served every day to Catering Mark Gold Standards in all 17 Cornish primary schools where the company provides catering services. This means pupils and staff are eating freshly prepared meals made with local, seasonal and organic ingredients.

The Catering Mark recognises food providers who are serving fresh, healthy meals, which are free from harmful additives and trans fats. The scheme provides a framework for caterers to take steps to improve the food they serve, and to use more local, seasonal and higher welfare ingredients.

The Gold award recognises those who have demonstrated a further commitment to using organic, free range and Fairtrade ingredients, as well as implementing measures to promote healthy eating.

Rob Sexton, CEO of Soil Association Certification, said: “This is a fantastic achievement. Aspens are showing that is it possible to serve high-quality school food, whilst supporting local businesses and supporting environmentally sustainable production methods. This award will reassure pupils, parents and staff that meals are prepared freshly using local, seasonal and organic ingredients. At a time when public interest in the provenance of food is growing, this achievement is the reassurance that pupils and parents are looking for.”

Aspens Services operations director Martin Garland  explained: “We operate all of our primary schools to the Soil Association’s Gold standard, so gaining this accreditation for our service in Cornwall is a testimony to the close partnerships we enjoy with schools and our belief in serving delicious, freshly-prepared and ethically-produced meals using first-class ingredients sourced from local suppliers.”