All food outlets in Barts Health NHS Trust hospitals have achieved the Soil Association’s Food for Life Bronze Catering Mark. Five hospitals (Mile End Hospital, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, The Royal London Hospital, Whipps Cross University Hospital and Newham University Hospital) have achieved the award serving 2,500 Catering Mark standard meals every day through staff and visitor restaurants and across the four hot counters and the salad bar.
Barts Health is the largest NHS Trust in the country, serving a population of over 2.5 million in east London and beyond. Food served every day is now consistently meeting higher standards of nutrition, freshness, sustainability and animal welfare.
Mile End Hospital, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, The Royal London Hospital, Whipps Cross University Hospital and their caterers, Elior, have made significant improvements to the hospital food quality and continued upkeep of their catering standards. The Catering Mark award comes as a wider push for improvement at Barts Health, which is involved in the Soil Association’s Food for Life hospital pilots to improve the food experience for patients, staff, visitors and the wider community.
Improving food provision
Fiona Daly, Associate Director Sustainability at Barts Health said, “We are delighted to have achieved the prestigious Catering Mark for our sites. This award represents our commitment to improving the food provision for our patients and visitors; ensuring our food is not only balanced and nutritious, but also sustainability sourced. We know that there is a lot more to do and are committed to continually improving, that’s why we are working towards achieving the silver and ultimately the gold standards for each of our sites.”
To reach the Catering Mark standard the hospital has worked closely with caterer Elior. They worked hard to change menus, find new suppliers, source more fresh produce, prepare more meals on site or in a local hub kitchen, and offer more training for staff in preparation and cooking. Elior have already achieved a Gold Catering Mark for their food provision in Nottingham University Hospital, and are pleased to be part of the journey now with Barts Health NHS Trust.
Barts Health and their caters Elior are joining over 25% of schools in the UK, 20% of universities, 300+ nurseries and 100+ care homes and other hospitals in their commitment to providing Catering Mark standard, fresh and sustainably sourced food to the people they serve. There are now just over 35,000 Catering Mark meals served every day in UK hospitals.
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