A quarter of England’s primary schools are now serving MSC certified seafood after Solihull Council added MSC certification to its primary school menus.
Solihull primaries add traceability and fish classes to their menus
Solihull Council has added Marine Stewardship Council certification to its sustainable fish options. The new certificate means that any fish served in the borough’s primary schools can be traced back to the ocean where it came from. It also adds a layer of assurance that the fish is from a certified sustainable source.
MSC traceability is regarded as one of the best in the world: independent audits are backed up by DNA testing and random tracebacks in schools, retailers, caterers and suppliers. As well as passing an audit for traceability, the LEA is also joining the MSC’s Fish and Kids project. Fish and Kids offers teachers educational materials, lesson plans and games to teach children about the importance of choosing sustainable fish and how their lunch choice will have an effect on the oceans around the world.
Reassurance for parents
Councillor Joe Tildesley, Solihull Council’s Lead Member for Children & Young People, said: “I’m delighted we have added this certification to the food we provide at our Primary Schools. The recent scandal over the source of certain foods has concerned parents across the country. With this traceability in place we can reassure our parents that the fish we serve is exactly what we say it is and that’s it has come from a sustainable source.
Ruth Westcott, MSC Commercial Outreach Manager said: “This is a fantastic achievement. By serving certified sustainable fish and being part of the Fish and Kids project Solihull schools are linking lessons to lunch, bringing sustainable seafood to thousands of Solihull’s next generation of responsible consumers. This certification means that over 4,000 English schools are now MSC certified: a fifth of the UK’s primaries. Together they are helping to make real change happen at sea – something they can be proud of every lunchtime.”
