THE pupils of a Saltcoats primary school have celebrated North Ayrshire Council receiving a catering award for the third year running.

Mayfield Primary School celebrated the authority receiving the Soil Association’s Gold Food for Life Catering Mark for serving fresh organic food with the council only one of three Gold award holders in Scotland.

The Saltcoats school grow their own produce to use for their lunches and make sure that pupils receive the healthiest option possible.

After a rigorous on-site inspection, where at least 15 per cent of organic ingredients as well as a selection of ingredients produced locally or in the UK had to be used, the council were given the thumbs-up from the organisation.

North Ayrshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, Councillor Tony Gurney, said: “I’m delighted that we have retained the prestigious Gold Food for Life Catering Mark for the third year running.

“Our award-winning Catering Service produces on average 6,844 Food for Life freshly prepared meals per day – an increase of 24 per cent since 2013, when we were first awarded the Catering Mark by the Soil Association.

“We’re extremely proud to boast that 80 per cent of our lunches in primary schools, as well as Arran High, are made from fresh food that includes farm assured meats, organic, local, seasonal produce and fresh fish. Additionally, our menus do not include any harmful additives or GM ingredients.

“Our Primary one to three, school meal uptake is currently one of the highest in the UK at 86 per cent and we are confident that this outstanding statistic is partly attributed to our Gold Food for Life menus.

“Retaining this gold mark gives our customers confidence in the quality of the ingredients used in our recipes.”

Angela Mitchell, Acting Director of Soil Association Scotland, said: “The Gold Catering Mark is a fantastic achievement so it’s brilliant to see North Ayrshire Council gaining recognition for serving great fresh meals made with seasonal, local and organic ingredients.

“North Ayrshire Council is leading the way in the drive to improve food culture in Scotland.”