University catering earns quality mark

Edinburgh has become the first university in Scotland to achieve formal recognition in an awards scheme that celebrates high-quality and sustainable catering.

The University earned the Bronze Food for Life Catering Mark in recognition of its commitment to serving healthy and ethical meals to students in Pollock Halls.

The University’s Catering Service provides 24,000 meals a week to 2,000 students in Pollock Halls.

Independent guarantee

Run by the Soil Association, the Food for Life Catering Mark is a UK-wide certification scheme, which provides an independent guarantee that food being served is fresh, free from controversial additives and better for animal welfare.

The bronze, silver and gold tiers encourage caterers to use more local, free range, fair trade and organic ingredients to produce healthier menus.

Citywide initiative

The University of Edinburgh is the first higher education institution to achieve the accolade.

The achievement is part of a citywide Edinburgh Food for Life project.

The University of Edinburgh has joined forces with City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian to transform food culture across the capital.

The University of Edinburgh has a history of playing a pioneering role in sustainable issues. The catering team has overcome a number of challenges to meet the high standards required by the Catering Mark. Now students can be sure that food isn’t just freshly prepared using quality ingredients, but is also supporting the local economy and higher standards of animal welfare.