Education caterer Edwards & Ward has been awarded the Soil Association's Food for Life Gold award for all of the 168 primary schools it manages in Gloucestershire.
The caterer is the first in the UK to be recognised as providing freshly prepared, locally sourced, organic, free range and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) meals to an entire county group. This has helped increase uptake by 26%, said the company.
Mike Ward, joint managing director of Edwards & Ward, said: "This award recognises what is at the core of what we do.
"Our team have worked closely with local producers and growers to bring the best that Gloucestershire and the surrounding counties have to offer into our kitchens and on to the plates of the 10,000 meals we serve every day."
Councillor Jackie Hall, Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member for education and skills, added: "Our contract with Edwards and Ward has improved the quality of school meals and this is reflected in their rising popularity.
"It is good to see their efforts to source fresh, local ingredients recognised by this prestigious award."
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By Janie Stamford
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