Tuesday August 4th 2026
East Lothian Council headquarters
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
The catering team at East Lothian Council have been honoured for their amazing work with the Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) silver award.
The council has retained its silver status for the fifth year in a row in the award scheme run by Soil Association Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government.
Around 5000 nutritious, sustainable and locally-sourced Food for Life meals are served in the council’s 37 primary schools and nurseries every day.
The FFLSH accolade was presented following an independent assessment and inspection to ensure the food being served in schools across the local authority area is good for pupils’ health, the environment and the local economy.
As an FFLSH silver award holder, the council must spend at least five per cent of the ingredients budget for its service on organic produce and support local producers. This is in addition to meeting the FFLSH bronze award standards, which includes freshly preparing a minimum of 75 per cent of dishes using fresh, whole and minimally processed ingredients.
Meals also have to be free from undesirable trans fats, sweeteners and additives, and use free range eggs, higher welfare meat, and ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources.
Vanessa Sanal, Service Manager with the council’s Facilities Management Services, said: “Facilities Management are extremely proud to have retained the Food for Life Served Here silver award. This achievement reflects the team’s ongoing commitment to providing quality, nutritious, and sustainably sourced food for children across East Lothian’s 37 primary schools and nurseries.
“Retaining this award demonstrates our dedication to supporting health, wellbeing, and positive food experiences for those we serve every day.”
The council helped to achieve silver status by purchasing Scottish organic milk and dairy products, switching to locally produced organic flour from Mungoswells Farm in Drem, and introducing initiatives such as dining hall education displays to help children understand food provenance and healthy eating.
Its FFLSH silver award was first attained in 2022. Prior to this, a bronze award had been held since 2013.
Councillor Fiona Dugdale, the council’s cabinet spokesperson for education and children’s and family services, said: “I’m proud to congratulate our school kitchen staff whose diligence, skill and commitment has been recognised for the fifth successive year. Their hard work ensures children and young people benefit from fresh and nutritious meals which use as much local produce as possible.”
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