Shetland Islands Council’s Catering Team won an award in Glasgow last week at the national Assist FM conference, celebrating the public-sector facilities management industry in Scotland.
Neil Beattie, Team Leader for the Council’s catering and cleaning team, picked up the award for “Outstanding Contribution to Catering” on behalf of the Council and his work colleagues. Other finalists in the same category were Glasgow City Council and West Lothian.
The award recognises the work of the Council’s catering team to work closely with local suppliers and food producers in Shetland, reducing food miles and supporting local producers. Shetland schools serve locally-sourced milk, eggs and lamb. Fish landed in Shetland is delivered fresh across the islands, and bread and rolls are also supplied by local bakeries. Locally grown fruit and vegetables are also supplied to schools.
Shetland Islands Council is one of only two Councils in Scotland holding the Food for Life Bronze Award across all its school settings, awarded in 2021. The Food for Life Award programme recognises the commitment of organisations to serve fresh, local produce in their schools.
The Council spends over £650,000 annually on food and serves over 2,200 meals in schools each day during term-time.
The Assist FM conference took place in Glasgow on 18th & 19th May 2023 and saw delegates representing the facilities management sector, including catering, cleaning and janitorial services, attend from 32 Scottish Local Authorities.
Helen Budge, Director of Children’s Services said: “Congratulations to Neil and his team. I’m delighted that their work to provide fresh, locally-sourced meals every day is recognised with this national award.”
Notes for Editors
For more information on the Assist FM 2023 conference, please look up: www.assistfmconference.co.uk/