The winning team

Bolton Council's school meal catering service scoops top award

10th January 2011, 11:14am

Bolton Council's school meal catering service has won the category of Most Improved Performance in Education Catering at the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE) awards.

The team beat off competition from East Dunbartonshire, Kirklees, Liverpool, Manchester, North Lincolnshire, South Lanarkshire and West Dunbartonshire councils to scoop the award.

The team was praised for keeping meal expenditure to a minimum, free meal-take up and for sourcing food locally. 

Around 80% of ingredients for school dinners come from suppliers based in the area, compared with the national figure of 27%.

Bolton Council's executive member for environmental services, councillor Akhtar Zaman, said: "We're so pleased to win this award and be recognised again at a national level for our work. 

"It's well deserved and a real testament to our catering and school staff and officers from the department." 

Children in 96 primary schools in Bolton have been enjoying meals for £1 since last January, following successful pilots since 2008 across two year groups.

Related Articles:

• 04 Jan 2011 - Hot school dinners extended in Bolton
• 19 Jul 2010 - Bolton's best school chef revealed
• 19 Aug 2009 - Bolton to host speciality food and drink market
• 11 Aug 2009 - Bolton's school meals taste challenge kicks off today
• 07 Jul 2009 - Winner of Bolton Council's school meals contest revealed

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