for all school caterers and look forward to working with them to build on this very impressive start.”
Areas that helped achieve the top level rating included the caterer’s commitment to reducing plate waste. In recent years, their ‘Wasteless’ initiative has helped to reduce plate waste by 47%. A focus on using local suppliers for specific produce helped them score well in the sourcing category. Kent based sites use a local farm for vegetables. A pork farm in Stamford is used for the supply of pork. Garden leaves are purchased from a farm in Surrey. Local dairies are used throughout the business for the supply of milk and cheese and all meat bought is British with the exception of New Zealand Lamb.
With a history of giving back, employees from across the business have raised in excess of £120,000 for charity, which supported the score of 97% in the category of Society. Fundraising has helped; build a school in one of Africa’s poorest communities, support unemployed and disadvantaged people find a job, and sponsor several breakfast clubs across the UK.
Operating in 158 sites across the UK, the caterer produces in excess of 60,000 fresh meals each school day. The SRA is the leading authority on sustainability across the hospitality and food service sector, providing expert advice to restaurants, pubs, hotels, cafés, universities and caterers.
By Tom Evans
