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This guide has been produced to help self-performing schools use more sustainable food:

Here are the useful tools that can be downloaded to support the Catering Manager’s Toolkit:

Step 1:

• Food procurement audit tool

Step 2:

• Sustainable Procurement Policy (24KB - pdf help)
• Suggested agenda for meeting of key decision-makers (19KB - pdf help)

Step 3:

• Agenda for a meeting with a wholesaler or supplier (18KB - pdf help)
• Seasonality Chart
• Case studies (x4)
  • Ashington School (Northumberland) (17KB - pdf help)
  • Blackawton School (14KB - pdf help)
  • South Gloucestershire (13KB - pdf help)
  • St John the Baptist (29KB - pdf help)
• Soil Association Food for Life catering mark (100KB - pdf help)

Step 4:

• School FEAST Network – developing the school food workforce (61KB - pdf help)
• Debbie Mumford crowned LACA School Chef of the Year 2009 (27KB - pdf help)

Step 5:

• Example tray liner (502KB - pdf help)
• Example local food flyer (112KB - pdf help)
• Example press release (19KB - pdf help)

Food for Life Partnership
The Food for Life Partnership is a network of schools and communities across England committed to transforming food culture. Led by the Soil Association, the Food for Life Partnership brings together the practical expertise of the Focus on Food Campaign, Garden Organic and the Health Education Trust

Farming and Countryside Education (FaCE)
Find curriculum materials and information on farm visits

Soil Association
Covers all key stages, with curriculum materials, farm contacts etc.

Education team
Soil Association
South Plaza
Marlborough Street
Bristol BS1 3NX
E: education@soilassociation.org
T: 0117 914 2440
F: 0117 314 5001

FoodLinks UK
This lists the local food links organisations and resources useful for teachers, procurers and pupils

Garden Organic
Is a charity which has a schools section and an extensive network of schools with organic gardens

Learning through Landscapes
Advice and resources on using school grounds for learning

River Cottage
Information about food - where it comes from and why that matters including news and events on food matters

Food in Schools primary training
Curriculum support through design and technology and information leaflets

eat the seasons
UK seasonal food information, tips and recipe ideas, updated every Wednesday

Meaty Meals for School Cooks
Meat cookery book from DEFRA aimed at schools

A model school food policy - a practical guide
Sample of a school meals policy document that can be used as a basis for creating an individual policy

Food Standards Agency
The Food Standards Agency carries out a varied programme of work on nutrition, including practical initiatives, such as the Cooking Bus, and research to support our policy and campaigns

The School Food Trust
The School Food Trust was established by the Department for Education and Skills in September 2005. Its remit is to transform school food and food skills, promote the education and health of children and young people and improve the quality of food in schools

Nutrition and school lunches (DirectGov)
Nutrition and school lunch information mainly aimed at parents

School FEAST - Food Excellence and Skills Training
Food Excellence and Skills Training - Led by the School Food Trust, the School FEAST network of training centres and partnerships provides training and support to all those involved in improving school food.

Health Education Trust: School meals policy related issues
School meals policy information including links to guidelines on nutritional levels and current legislation

Food for Life Partnership
A Soil Association project aimed at enhancing food quality within schools, includes resources and case studies

Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming
Sustain advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture

Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF)
General information for anyone interested in children, their education & wellbeing

TeacherNet
Case studies that offer solutions to school problems including the meals service

Food Standards Agency
Nutritional information, advice on hygiene, food alerts etc.

Healthy Weight 4 Children
A new interactive network to help tackle the rising number of overweight children in the SW and a link to a presentation given at the Catering Managers’ event Oct 09.

• Soil Association: visit an organic farm

Organic farms network consists of over 100 farms across the UK.

These farms are open to the public and an increasing number run education visits for schools and colleges.

Many farms have a dedicated education officer and can offer a personal service designed to meet national curriculum targets and the needs of your school.

Key subject areas are science, geography and PSHE/citizenship. Visits are often appropriate for all key stages.

• Becklands Farm
  Whitchurch Canonicorum, Bridport, Dorset
• Blacklake Farm
  East Hill, Ottery St Mary, Devon
• Higher Farm
  Beesands, Devon
• Higher Hacknell Farm
  Burrington, Umberleigh, Devon
• Highfield Farm
  Clyst Road, Topsham, Exeter
• Linscombe Farm
  New Buildings, Sandford, Crediton
• Little Comfort Farm
  Braunton, North Devon
• Occombe Farm
  Paignton
• Riverford Farm
  Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh
• Summerhill Farm
  Hittisleigh, Exeter
• West Hill Farm
  West Down, Ilfracombe
• West Town Farm
  Ide, Exeter

Farms for Schools
Lists of farms to visit

Farming and Countryside Education (FaCE)
Curriculum material and farm visits

Federation of City Farms and Community Gardens
A great source of information relating to the farms and farm gardens and local produce markets throughout the UK open to the public

School Food Trust
Funding opportunities for school meals projects

Growing Schools
Support for using the ‘outdoor classroom’

Food for Life Partnership: School resources
Downloadable resources for school caterers including advice on seasonal vegetables to help you meet nutritional standards

Growing Schools
Teaching activities on a range of farm related subjects

Schools Organic Network
Ideas and resources on organic growing aimed at schools

Food and Drink Devon: Love the Flavour
A good source of information on where to buy Devon’s food and drink and food events

Taste of the West
A good database of local and speciality food producers

Soil Association - source marketplace
A one-stop database for sourcing local organic produce

www.bigbarn.co.uk
National database of local producers, local food markets and retailers of fresh produce

Certified Farmers' Markets
Information on where to find Farmers' Markets.

National Farmers' Retail and Markets Association (FARMA)
Co-operative of farmers, local producers and farmers' markets organisers

How to access local food (2.54MB - pdf help)
Presentation given at the School Catering Managers’ event (Oct 09)

East Ayrshire Council school meals
The Council's school meals initiatives have been widely recognised and the website includes information on the menus, incentive schemes to increase uptake and local sourcing. Link to presentation given at the School Catering Managers’ event Oct 09 (include presentation next to this link – no. 15)

South West Food and Drink
The organisation tasked with carrying out the work with public food procurers under the aims of the Public Sector Procurement Initiative (PSFPI)

Jamie Oliver - school dinners
Information on Jamie Oliver’s campaign to ban ‘junk’ food and get kids eating fresh, tasty, nutritious food.

Food for the Brain
Test children’s diet and performance with an on-line profile that gives you personalised advice

Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming
The alliance for better food and farming -news, events and research on food related topics

Food: the South West's free magazine
Information on Devon’s food including food events, where to buy and foodie news

Recipes from the Catering Managers’ event (21KB - pdf help) – October 09