Good food doesn't have to stop at care

Bristol care home food champion recognised at national Food for Life Catering Mark Awards

A Bristol charity that is becoming a trailblazer for food standards in the care industry, has had a member of staff recognised at the Soil Association’s national Food for Life Catering Mark Awards in London.

Louise Chambers, Head of Elder Care services at Milestones Trust, was named as the Catering Mark Champion for Care Settings, in recognition of her determination, dedication and passion to improve the quality of food served within care home settings.

In leading the work Milestones Trust has undertaken with Food for Life, Louise has developed a new ‘whole setting approach to food’ that champions the mealtime experience and the therapeutic value of cooking and food growing for those living with dementia.

Louise said: “I was so surprised to be nominated, let alone win, this fantastic award. To be recognised as a food champion on behalf on Milestones Trust is a wonderful achievement and thanks and recognition must go to the staff and homes that have helped implement this work and enabled us to achieve this.”

The Awards took place at the Royal Horticultural Halls in London last week and are designed to celebrate the achievements of those who are working with the Soil Associations’ Catering Mark, to transform the food service in settings including schools, care homes, hospitals and universities by providing fresher, nutritious and environmentally sustainable quality meals.

Louise continued: “We have developed a clear strategy to improve the diet and nutrition across our services to further enhance the lives of the people we support. Two of our homes have already achieved Catering Marks with more in the pipeline, demonstrating that we are being successful in improving food service. We are proving that good food doesn’t have to stop at care.”

Nominations for the awards came from all food providers who hold a Catering Mark and showcased the hard work and innovation in improving food service.

Prue Leith, food critic and writer who presented the awards, said: “The Catering Mark Awards are the real deal. Achieving the food for Life Catering Mark is no mean feat and it is respected in the industry because it cannot be bought; it is awarded on the facts. My message is simple but heartfelt: many congratulations on achieving the Catering Mark for your business. I know just how hard work it is, but please don’t rest on your laurels.”

Milestones Trust have been working in partnership with Barney Houghton of the Square Food Foundation, who helped the charity develop a catering course for their chefs and support staff to attend. Huge steps have been taken across the Trust’s 50 homes to improve the way staff shop for food and plan menus for residents, with produce used reflecting the seasons and also the traceability being an important factor.

Nutritionist Francine Russell has also helped the Trust develop their food programme, running a course that focuses on the nutritional benefits of different food groups, whilst offering practical advice on cooking from scratch to ensure the nutritional benefits are maintained.

Louise said: “We are already seeing the benefits of our work on food in the health of the people we support which is fantastic. In many of our homes food is now a key focus with the gardens being utilised for vegetable patches and staff and residents alike getting involved in the growing, cooking and most importantly, eating of their produce. We are proving that with the right focus and resource, food is an integral part of care at any level and it’s amazing what can be achieved.”

The next steps in the Trust’s food programme are for as many of its homes as possible to gain Catering Marks accreditation, whilst a piece of research is to be carried out to measure the health outcomes and benefits to residents. For further information on Milestones Trust’s Focus on Food, visit http://www.milestonestrust.org.uk/good-food-group.

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