Food for Life (FFL)

As we reach the end of a very busy year for all of us in the food world, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the successes and challenges we’ve faced and our hopes for 2025. Working within the food sector can feel like swimming against the tide: we know what needs to be done but it’s so often the opposite of what big players in the food system want. But we keep swimming so we can create a food system that ensures equal access to healthy and sustainable food. Some of our 2024 highlights include... 🍩 Campaigning on the danger of #UltraProcessedFoods and encouraging governments to make policy decisions that prioritise good food for all 🏛️ Giving evidence to the Lords Committee on Diet, Food and Obesity 🏫 Evolving the Food for Life Schools Award to work within a more challenging environment 🍴 Reviewing our Food for Life Served Here bronze standards with a public consultation As we sign off for the year, we want to say the biggest thank you to everyone we work with. Despite so many challenges, together we are making a difference. We will continue to advocate for the changes our sector, and society, so desperately need. 🗣️ #FoodForLife #caterers #schoolfood #sustainablefood

Lovely to see a Food for Life (FFL) Served Here GOLD caterer Kate's Kitchen and our friends at Relish working with the wonderful We The Curious! I love it when good people team up!

What food will you be enjoying over Christmas? 🎄 For many, this time of year is all about a roast dinner – but do you know which veg is in season? 🤔 Luckily (or by design..!) lots of favourites are currently in season, including: cauliflower, leek, parsnip, potato, carrot, cabbage, spring onion, pear and brussels sprouts! 🥕🥬🥔 Eating seasonal food means we don't have to import food from different climates around the world which is more sustainable and reduces our carbon footprint. What's your fav roast dinner veg? 🍽️ #Seasonal #Vegetables #RoastDinner #SustainableFood

We're passionate about making good food accessible for all, and we do this by working with: 🍴 caterers 🥬 suppliers 🏫 schools and nurseries 🏛️ local authorities 🗣️ local changemakers 🤝 partners in the food industry Which is we're pleased to be working with Love British Food to advocate for shorter, more sustainable supply chains to make British food a central part of schools, hospitals and other settings 💪 https://lnkd.in/eyNAb-3F

On a chilly October afternoon, the gardening club at Barden Primary School are preparing the garden for winter. The club is so popular that there are two groups of pupils who regularly attend to the garden. 👨🌾✂️🌳 It’s a hive of activity as they sweep, rake, paint pallets, tidy the greenhouse, and cover soil to protect it from weeds. One pupil shares: “it can be cold, but I love being in the outdoors and tidying up.” Pupils are particularly proud of the greenhouse and show off their collection of seeds, pots and tools, explaining they’ve already planted onions, chard and winter greens to harvest next year. Recently, they harvested so many potatoes there were enough for every child in school to take some home. Before it gets too cold, the gardening club will plant 100 assorted flower bulbs to bring some spring colour next year. It’s a wonderful club with a lovely team spirit and they’re clearly enjoying the benefits and sharing them with the whole school community. One pupil sums it up well: “I just enjoy plants!” 🌼

Recently, we attended the Association for Science and Discovery Centres' conference to chair a discussion on sustainable catering. We spoke about how caterers are making changes to more sustainable practices and learnt that… 👂 Caterers are listening and responding to customer needs and feedback 🎉 Caterers are celebrating their progress with customers, who appreciate a move towards more sustainable practices 💪 Despite challenges around budgets and processes, caterers are proud to have made these changes It was inspiring to hear from science centres, universities and many other settings about how they’re working to source and serve climate friendly food. We’re looking forward to keeping in touch with those we met and working with them to use Cool Food Pro’s carbon calculator, made to support caterers move to environmentally friendly practices, saving caterers carbon, water and money. #SustainableCatering #Carbon #CoolFoodPro #FoodForLife #Caterers

Did you know that 95% of our food comes from the soil? Help to protect this vital part of our ecosystem this #WorldSoilDay! 🌱🪱

"UK restaurant chains ripping parents off with ready meals" 😠 Amongst growing concern around #UltraProcessedFoods, a recent Soil Association study has discovered that high street chains are relying on pre-made pasta sauces and sugary desserts. 🧁👎 Key findings include: 🍗 At least 40% of 140 protein options (meat, fish and plant-based) across the high street were ultra-processed, according to the Soil Association analysis 🥗 Seven out of 20 chains don't serve veg with every child’s meal as standard 💰 Price is not a barrier to better children’s menus, with high-scoring JD Wetherspoon one of the cheapest chains surveyed whilst Wahaca's freshly prepared children's meals are cheaper than reheated ready meals at more expensive chains 🍎 Most fruit and veg comes from abroad and only one restaurant – Nando's – reported using 100% British meat for children’s meals 🍨 Half of chains serve desserts that would exceed a child’s daily sugar allowance https://lnkd.in/etsqVbmm

We had a great time presenting at the EAUC Scotland conference in November with our Cool Food Pro and Soil Association Scotland colleagues. 🎙️🍽️ We spoke about what the future of food in education institutions might look like alongside Heriot-Watt University and Forth Valley College. Thank you to everyone involved in creating a great session, those that attended and to those that visited the stand. 👏 In the evening we were delighted to attend the Green Gown Awards –congratulations to all involved and the winners who are doing incredible work at the frontline of catering. A really inspiring few days. 💡 #SustainableCatering #CarbonReduction #NetZero

This month, the Cool Food Pro team visited Heaton Park Primary in #Bury to raise awareness of the value of food and the impact of food waste. Pupils used interactive resources, created by Cool Food Pro’s climate partner Deloitte, to get them thinking about what it takes to get food onto their plates. 🍽️ Did you know that, from farm to fork, an 80g serving of peas: 💧 Uses 26 litres of water 💨 Generates 204g of CO2 💰 Costs £1.35 per kg wasted That's why it's so important to reduce food waste! Cool Food Pro helped pupils to understand the real value of food, the resources which have gone into its production and the importance of not throwing it away. This awareness will help reduce plate waste in the school as pupils now better understand how they can help the planet by not putting food in the bin. ❌🗑️ #CoolFoodPro #BuryStEdmunds #FoodWaste #FoodEducation #FoodForLife