The London borough of Tower Hamlets has earned a bronze Food for Life Catering Mark from the Soil Association for its efforts in providing healthy, free lunches at all 90 of its primary, nursery and special schools.

These schools in Tower Hamlets now serve meals that are 75 per cent freshly prepared and free of undesirable ingredients such as e-numbers, trans fats and MSG, while all fresh salads, vegetables and fruits served are now seasonal.

Importantly, according to the Soil Association, the borough's catering team achieved this end without increasing its budget, but by switching suppliers and joining a London-wide buying group.

Rob Sexton, chief executive of Soil Association Certification, commented: “This is a really proud moment in the history of the Catering Mark knowing that thousands of children in Tower Hamlets will benefit from healthier school meals. The Soil Association believes that access to good food should be a right not a privilege and we are committed to making organic, seasonal, healthy food accessible to everyone.”

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