WIREDGOV

A Government scheme, supported by the Food Standards Agency, aimed at encouraging and recognising best practice among public sector organisations buying and serving healthier, more sustainable food, is recruiting for its pilot phase.

The voluntary scheme, which has the working title 'Healthier Food Mark', is being set up by the Department of Health, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Food Standards Agency, working as part of a cross-Government group with the food industry, public sector organisations and other stakeholders.

The Healthier Food Mark will have three tiers (bronze, silver and gold) and will focus on areas that have the highest impact in terms of nutrition and sustainability, fully reflect current Government policy and have a strong evidence base. More details can be found on the Healthier Food Mark website at the link below.

It is expected that the majority of public sector organisations will be able to achieve the bronze level, progressive organisations will aim for silver and public sector organisations aspiring to meet high nutritional provision and sustainability criteria will strive for gold.

The scheme is being tested as a pre-consultation pilot in 2009-10. A full consultation on the scheme will follow in 2010 with the aim of rolling out the scheme in 2011.

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