Caterlink becomes first school caterer to achieve Green Kitchen Standard

Caterlink has become being the first school caterer to achieve the Soil Association’s Green Kitchen Standard, which celebrates Caterlink’s commitment to achieving high sustainability standards and good environmental management for its schools in Islington.

Achieving the Green Kitchen Standard involved an assessment which reviews the kitchen’s energy use, water consumption and waste generation. This assessment includes a questionnaire, site visits and an independent expert assessor to score their level of sustainable practice.

Following these steps, Caterlink has also chosen to train staff, monitoring energy/waste, setting targets to support its commitment to reducing energy which has earned them more points and the privilege to receive this award.

Neil Fuller, Caterlink’s Managing Director, said, “Caterlink is incredibly proud to have been awarded the Green Kitchen Standard, as it represents our sustainable ethos, and reflects the hard work we have put in to achieving this.

‘We try to run our operation at the highest possible level whilst minimising our impact on the environment and making a positive contribution to the future of sustainable practice. This is why we couldn’t be happier that our contribution has been recognised by this prestigious award and the first school caterer to achieve this for its schools.”

The award has been launched by Soil Association Certification, and the Carbon Trust, who aim to promote sustainable catering. Clare McDermott, the Business Development Director of Soil Association Certification said, “This unique standard supports caterers to not just focus on the quality and sustainable sourcing of the food and ingredients, but also on providing those meals with less energy, less waste and less impact on the environment.

‘Caterlink have displayed their dedication to sustainable catering through their focus on great environmental management which has earned them the right to receive this new and exciting award”.

The Green Kitchen Standard is delivered in partnership by Soil Association Certification and the Carbon Trust. Launched in May 2017, the certification requires caterers to engage with the multiple sustainability issues that arise in food service – from broader policies through to day-to-day kitchen management. It provides a framework for action, taking positive steps to engage with customers, train staff, monitor resources, implement best practice and achieve continuous improvements.