Soil Association Catering Mark criteria consultation

The Soil Association is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Food for Life Catering Mark criteria. The consultation follows an amazing start for the scheme, which has transformed the meals eaten by over 300,000 people every day in schools, hospitals, nurseries, universities and restaurants. Stakeholders and Catering Mark holders now have the opportunity to submit their views on proposals to move the Silver and Gold criteria onto a points-based system. Changes to the Bronze criteria to incorporate public health guidelines and make Bronze menus more environmentally sustainable are also open for consideration.

Catering Mark holders and Stakeholders have until 5pm on Wednesday 22 June to submit their views on the proposals outlined in the consultation. The findings will then be considered by the Catering Mark Standards Committee during the summer. The earliest any possible changes would be implemented for new applicants is autumn 2011. Existing Catering Mark holders will be required to meet any new criteria which are agreed from January 2013. More information is available here.

There are now over 85 organisations serving Catering Mark menus including major commercial caterers like Eden Foodservice, Caterlink and ISS, and 20 Local Authorities including Nottinghamshire and Shropshire. Harrison Catering serves almost 40,000 Bronze meals across five London Boroughs every day. In London alone over 80,000 school children are now eating fresh, healthy meals which are free from controversial additives, trans fats and GM ingredients. Rob Sexton, Chief Executive of Soil Association Certification, said: “The Soil Association believes that changing to a points-based system will permit and encourage caterers to follow their own priorities while maintaining the founding principles and integrity of the Food for Life Catering Mark. We also hope proposed amendments to the Catering Mark will further enable caterers to tell their own stories and gain increased recognition for serving fresh food you can trust.” More information on the Food for Life Catering Mark and a full list of current Catering Mark holders is available here.