•A voluntary set of independent standards•Freshly prepared with quality ingredients •Local sourcing – seasonality•Higher animal welfare and traceability•Food that is better for the environment•A clear framework for sustainability, local procurement and health

The Food for Life Catering Mark

1. Serving fresh food

2. Sourcing ethical and environmentally friendly food

3. Championing local producers

4. Making healthy eating easy

Your Gold Catering Mark

Gold caterers meet a strict set of standards which recognise continuous improvement and excellence. The Gold standards means that caterers are:

How did we calculate your points for Gold?

How did you gain points for supporting local producers?

Points are awarded for the following:

• Serving primary commodity (raw ingredients) food items produced in the UK, above the national average of 59%

• Serving food produced in your region or adjacent county

How do we assess against the “Making healthy eating easy” standard?

• Meat-free day or equivalent• Steps to serve meat in moderation• Steps to minimise salt• Actions to cut plate waste/support eating well• Actions to promote meal take-up• Monitoring against food & nutrient-based standards• Healthy vending• >50% bread is wholemeal or granary• Fruit cheaper than dessert (where sold)

Rob Sexton – CEO of Soil Association

“The Gold Catering Mark recognises food providers who prepare meals using fresh, seasonal, local and organic ingredients. Oldham’s recent Gold is a fantastic achievement which will provide a guarantee for parents that fresh food is always on the menu, and that it meets high standards of traceability, freshness and provenance. In the light of recent developments in school food, Oldham are proving that it is possible to maintain quality at scale – this is crucial for meeting the aims of the school food plan and raising the bar for school food.”

Your Gold Catering Mark

What does Gold mean?

• To meet the Gold standard caterers must cook almost everything from scratch, include a selection of free range and organic products on the menu, make the most of seasonal and local produce, and take steps to make healthy eating easier.

• Independent evaluation shows that every £1 spent on Catering Mark menus sees a social return on investment of £3 to the local economy.

• Research shows that serving menus to Gold Catering Mark standards can significantly reduce carbon emissions and supports local businesses.

• Research shows that serving Gold Standard meals at this scale can have a very real positive impact on school pupils; in terms of attainment, behaviour and health.

• Recommended by School Food Plan• Catering Mark becoming a prerequisite to tender• Drive meal uptake – proven impact• Independent assessment and endorsement• Meeting objectives for health and economy• Supply Chain support and staff training• Win new business• Marketing/communications support from Soil Association• A powerful marketing tool – reassures staff pupils and parent• Demonstrate genuine CSR & investment in local economy• Full traceability and accountability

Why the Catering Mark?

Oldham council – leading the way

• Oldham is one of only three Local authority (in-house) caterers who have achieved Gold in the UK!

• Oldham is the only Gold achiever in the North

• 12,000 meals to Gold standards are served in your schools each day LA at Gold: (this places you second in terms of scale of meals served at Gold)