Catering staff from the county have been recognised for their hard work promoting locally sourced and sustainable food in schools.

Selected staff members from schools across Scotland met in Edinburgh to be recognised as ambassadors for Food for Life Scotland.

Ashley Kilpatrick, a cook supervisor at Campie Primary School, and Tracey McConnachie, assistant area officer at East Lothian Council, were among those named Food for Life Scotland Ambassadors at the ceremony.

Ashley said: “What motivates me is the kids and seeing how much they enjoy the food that we give them and teaching them about fresh produce and where it comes from across Scotland.

“When they come up and compliment the team on how much they’ve enjoyed their food, that’s what motivates us every day.”

The Food for Life Scotland programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Soil Association Scotland.

The Food for Life Scotland Ambassador programme was set up in November last year with the aim of recognising the unsung heroes in Scotland’s school catering industry.

From dealing with food shortages and price rises to overcoming the difficulties of the pandemic, catering staff have been faced with unprecedented challenges in getting healthy, nutritious and sustainable food on pupils’ plates.

Sarah Duley, head of food at Food for Life Scotland, said: “As communities across Scotland continue to grapple with uncertainties, from climate change and the impact of the pandemic to supply chain disruptions and the increased cost of living, the need to improve access to food that’s nutritious and freshly prepared, at the same time as being sustainably and locally produced, has never been more important.  

“Our Food for Life Scotland Ambassadors put their all into providing the best possible meals for Scotland’s young people every day. 

“We hope that we can shine a spotlight on the actions of these individuals to show what’s possible in school meals and inspire others to join in the mission of creating a ‘Good Food Nation’ in Scotland.”

Mairi Gougeon MSP, cabinet secretary for rural affairs and islands, also congratulated the ambassadors for their impact on local communities.

She said: “I would like to congratulate the newly awarded Food for Life Scotland Ambassadors who have been selected as a result of their commendable work within their schools, communities and local authorities.

“It’s great to see their achievements being recognised as we celebrate them as change-makers within our local communities.

“The Food for Life Scotland programme is continuing to make a big difference to the lives of many young people across the country.

“This wouldn’t have been achieved without the tireless efforts of our catering teams across the length and breadth of the country.

“With 26 million ‘Food for Life Served Here’ meals being served across Scotland every year, the positive impact is evident and the movement is no doubt set to grow further.”