The borough’s schools have been awarded for having the ‘most climate-friendly’ lunches in the country

Leyton Orient mascot Theo the Wyvern joins children in Waltham Forest for a healthy school meal (Credit: ProVeg UK)

Waltham Forest schools have been recognised for having the “best” and most ‘climate-friendly’ lunch menus in the country.

Last year schools in the borough won a gold ProVeg School Plates Award, which recognises the “positive steps caterers take to increase their plant-based menu offerings”. And now, ProVeg has ranked Waltham Forest schools as being the most ‘climate friendly’ in the country.

Waltham Forest Catering, responsible for meals in 43 primary schools across the London Borough of Waltham Forest, has developed a range of healthy, plant-based recipes that ProVeg School Plates Awards says has “proven extremely popular” with children. Their award-winning plant-based dishes include spiced chickpea and sweet potato pilaf, smoky vegetable and bean jambalaya and jackfruit pasta bake.

Sue Brettle, catering operations manager at Waltham Forest Catering, has been working with the catering team to develop their climate-friendly menus. She said: “Providing children with delicious and nutritious meals that are good for them and the planet is at the forefront of what we do.”

“The pupils love our plant-based meals, and we’ve worked together to make sure that parents and pupils are happy with our menus, while ensuring the food is of a high quality. We’re really pleased that our hard work has been recognised. It’s a testament to our team’s passion for working with great ingredients and creating exciting food that nourishes children and educates them about sustainability.”

Since the Awards were launched last year, ProVeg has presented 20 bronze, two silver and two gold awards to deserving UK caterers. Waltham Forest, one of the gold winners, now boasts the title of overall champion for UK state schools.

Jimmy Pierson, director of ProVeg UK, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to recognise Waltham Forest Catering as true pioneers in school food. We really didn’t expect to award our first golds last year, given how high we’d set the bar, but Waltham Forest’s menus were just exceptional. In the midst of a global climate crisis, it’s time to celebrate these genuine climate leaders who are working so hard to provide children with nourishing, sustainable food that they love to eat.”

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