Catering boss shows council the way ahead (From Free Press Series)

Catering boss shows council the way ahead

IT can be done! That's the message to Monmouthshire County Council from Kay Knight, the catering and contracts manager at nearby South Gloucestershire Council.

In 2001, the council made a commitment to source as much locally produced food as possible to provide fresh healthy food for all its pupils.

It brought together local producers, growers, caterers and other interested stakeholders to explore the issues around local food.

The key findings of that meeting were the difficulties people encounter trying to get hold of local produce and also the difficulties producers have in finding a market for their produce.

As a result of the meeting, a local food partnership was set up, which developed a local food strategy that aims to increase the availability and consumption of local food.

The group made two successful funding bids to the National Grid and the Regional Development Agency (RDA).

The end result: local produce is now being delivered to 115 schools, including 98 infant, junior and primary schools; 14 secondary schools and three special schools.

In addition to the school lunch service, many schools now offer a fruit tuck service, breakfast service, after-school service, salad bars, teachers menus and a fruit and veg basket service to staff.

The Catering and Contracts Division receives no subsidy. It is run as a business with low overheads.

Kay, who is a guest speaker to the Better School Meals conference in Monmouth tomorrow, told the Free Press: "It obviously needs someone with enthusiasm for the initiative to drive it through but we have shown it can be done."