Food for Life at Bury schools

Wednesday, 7 December 2022 16:50

By David Murphy

Sharon Jarvis (right), senior catering operations manager, and Susan Mahon, kitchen manager, at St Andrews in Radcliffe.

Bury Catering – Bury Council’s school dinner service – has achieved a Food for Life Served Here Bronze Award from the Soil Association for serving healthy and sustainable meals.

The award recognises caterers who are serving meals that go beyond meeting the School Food Standards (nutritional guidelines) and ensure that children are being served meals that are not only delicious but also good for health, nature and the climate.

Bury Catering provides 16,000 healthy and sustainable meals every school day as part of the Bury Climate Plan, and employs 270 local staff across 58 primary, secondary and special schools. There are menus for diabetics, a gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and vegan menu and other special diets, and the food is completely nut free. It also satisfies the multi-cultural requirements of each school.

Councillor Tahir Rafiq, cabinet member for corporate affairs and HR, said: “It is vital that children are eating healthy meals in school, especially given the cost of living and rising price of food.

“We are delighted that the quality of our school meals has been recognised by the Soil Association, and that our young people are getting the nutrition they need for their growing and learning.”

For more details about school meals and sample menus, go to https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10417

Sharon Jarvis, senior catering operations manager, said: “Despite the problems caused by the Covid pandemic and rising food costs, the kitchen staff and management were determined to prove the quality of our ingredients and service to our schools and parents. We are thrilled to have been awarded Food for Life bronze – it means a lot to us.”

Ruth Galpine, associate director for healthy and sustainable diets at the Soil Association, said: “Food for Life Served Here caterers are leading the way in improving food culture in schools. Achieving a Food for Life Served Here Award is a fantastic accomplishment and a true reflection of a caterer’s commitment to serving school meals that are nutritious as well as tasty. We know that good food is a crucial part of the school day and, with fresh, healthy meals being served, students are equipped with the fuel they need for their learning and development.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Life on the Freehold estate now

A notorious Rochdale estate was well-known for all the wrong reasons – the death of a toddler, poor housing conditions and crime. But life is finally getting better on Freehold.
Woman suffers serious injuries in Birch Street collision

A woman is receiving hospital treatment after being seriously injured in a collision with a car near Bury town centre.
Two men arrested and 300 cannabis plants seized after early morning raids in Rochdale

Over 300 cannabis plants have been taken off the streets of Rochdale after neighbourhood officers raided two illegal growing operations in partnership with the local council.
Bury teacher banned for life after engaging in sexual activity with child

A former teacher at Tottington High School has been permanently banned from the classroom after a professional misconduct panel found he engaged in sexual activity with a pupil.
GMP’s ‘headset heroes’ answer over a million calls in a year as response times reach record highs

Greater Manchester Police’s control room teams are being recognised for their vital role in emergency response as part of International Control Room Week.
Further arrests in Rochdale and Manchester as GMP intensifies crackdown on historic child sex abuse

Specialist investigation team arrests more suspects and secures major convictions as survivors of non-recent exploitation continue to come forward
Seven Sisters tenants reaction to the news they could soon be removed

Billy Jackson has called Rochdale’s Seven Sisters home for 40 years. But shock decision means 2025 will be his final year in the iconic tower blocks.
Festive magic arrives in Bury as North Pole Safari Trail transforms town centre

Free augmented reality trail, festive lights switch-on and family events launch Christmas celebrations in Bury
Replacement mosque plans approved despite concerns about parking

Plans to knock down and rebuild a mosque in Prestwich have been approved despite a 1,630 person petition opposing it.
Andy Burnham ‘taken aback’ by decision to move hundreds out of Seven Sisters towers

Andy Burnham was ‘taken aback’ by a decision to clear Rochdale’s iconic ‘Seven Sisters’ tower blocks, forcing hundreds from their homes.
Nine-bed HMO built ‘without permission’ discovered after neighbours complain

Council enforcement officers discovered a nine-bed HMO had been created without permission after a complaint from neighbours, councillors have heard.
Rochdale’s music legacy takes centre stage with iconic Cargo Studios reunion

Rochdale’s rich musical heritage was centre stage at a packed launch event marking the beginning of a new borough-wide celebration called ‘Rochdale Music Stories’, featuring big names like Peter Hook, Clint Boon and Andy McCluskey.