News

This is the third year in a row that the council’s school meals provider Contract Catering Services has achieved a silver award from the Soil Association. The Silver award recognises that at least 5% of ingredients are organic and are sourced sustainably, ethically and locally from reputable suppliers.

The award acknowledges caterers that go beyond meeting the School Food Standards to ensure that children are served meals that are not only delicious, but are also good for health, nature and the climate.

Lutfur Rahman, mayor of Tower Hamlets Council, said: “Providing our children with the best start in life is our priority. Nutritious meals are essential for the fuel children need to learn and develop and that includes using quality ingredients as well as providing tasty recipes and healthy choices. Congratulations to our school meals provider Contract Catering Services for achieving a silver award from the Soil Association.” 

Contract Catering Services, which provides approximately 16,500 meals a day, serves nutritious menus that meet the needs of the borough’s diverse community. Over 87% of meals are freshly prepared, with popular homemade dishes including vegetable moussaka, chicken pie, and cauliflower spinach & chickpea curry. 

Ruth Galpine, associate director, healthy & sustainable diets at the Soil Association, added: “This is a testament to the hardworking team going the extra mile to ensure they are keeping up their high standards in providing meals that are cooked from scratch using high quality ingredients. In the current economic and social climate it is even more important to ensure children are fed well in school and Contract Services are demonstrating their commitment to keeping standards high.”