Useful sources of information
A range of organisations are, like Sustain, working to improve the sustainability of food in the public sector. The list below is not comprehensive, but you might find some of the links useful.
Third sector organisations
Caroline Walker Trust publishes a range of publications (recognised as authoritative by government) on the nutritional needs of different groups in public institutions such as nurseries, schools and care homes.
http://www.cwt.org.uk/publications.html
Compassion in World Farming can provide information about animal welfare standards and, among other things, runs the Good Egg Award for organisations serving free range eggs.
http://www.ciwf.org.uk/good_egg_awards/default.aspx
Fairtrade Foundation can provide a range of business services to help you provide a wider range of Fairtrade certified products.
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/business_services/default.aspx
Freedom Food is the farm assurance and food labelling scheme established by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/FreedomFood/FreedomFoodHomepage
Good Catch (a project which Sustain is involved with) helps foodservice professionals navigate the subject of seafood sustainability, providing clear, consistent information and practical support and training. https://www.sustainweb.org/goodcatch/
Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) is a farming and environmental charity, and it is responsible, among other things, for the LEAF Marque labelling scheme.
http://www.leafuk.org/
London Food Link (a project of Sustain) runs the Local Food Finder to help caterers identify suppliers of sustainable produce in and around London.
http://www.localfoodfinder.org/
Marine Conservation Society provides information about which fish species are, for example, endangered and should not be sold.
http://www.fishonline.org/
Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) can provide a range of business services to help you serve MSC certified fish products.
http://www.msc.org/business-support
National Trust, in association with a number of other groups, developed a good seasonality calendar.
http://eatseasonably.co.uk/what-to-eat-now/calendar/
Real Bread Campaign (coordinated by Sustain) runs a Real Bread Finder to help caterers and others identify supplies of local, artisan and high quality bread.
https://www.sustainweb.org/realbread/bakery_finder/
Soil Association, funded by the Big Lottery and working with a number of organisations, runs the Food for Life project for sustainable food in schools and is developing a catering mark for other caterers.
http://www.foodforlife.org.uk/resources/catering/catering-mark
Industry schemes
Farm Assurance (Red Tractor) is a scheme for farmers to give assurance that products have been raised and supplied to high standards of food safety, hygiene and traceability. The scheme also covers basic environmental protection and animal welfare standards.
http://www.redtractor.org.uk/
Safe and Local Supplier Approval (SALSA) is an approval scheme that helps local and regional food and drink producers supply their products to national and regional buyers with the assurances they need of food safety and traceability. The website also runs a directory of SALSA-approved suppliers.
http://www.salsafood.co.uk/
Government information
The Department of Health issued guidance on how hospital caterers can achieve healthy and sustainable food. It features a foreword by the then public health minister Ben Bradshaw, who says: "Healthier, more sustainable food in our hospitals may help to speed patient recovery times and can encourage positive lifestyle changes outside hospital for both patients and staff, leading to a positive impact on our health and well-being, as well as on our environment.” 2009 Department of Health sustainable food guidance for hospitals
Food Standards Agency provides a variety of information for caterers about producing safe and nutritious food.
http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/caterers/
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