SCHOOL meals in North Yorkshire have been awarded the Soil Association’s prestigious Food for Life silver award for their fresh and healthy approach.

The award recognises the county council’s catering team's commitment to serving fresh, environmentally sustainable, organic and ethical food, championing local producers and making healthy eating easy.

Last year the authority's school meals service spent nearly £6m on food. All eggs are free range, ingredients come from local suppliers and meat can be traced back to the farm.

Executive mem ber for schools Cllr Patrick Muligan said: “We have been developing our fresh, locally procured food policy for many years, long before Jamie Oliver campaigned against turkey twizzlers.

“Not only is this good for children and young people who can enjoy freshly prepared, high-quality food for their school meal, but it is also good for the local economy by keeping money in the region, supporting local and British farmers and creating employment for growers and suppliers.”