PUPILS are sitting down to an award-winning school meal every day with the honour being earned by the team behind the scenes for more than 10 years.

In recognition of their fresh, healthy , and sustainable school meals , East Ayrshire Council (EAC) have again won the Soil Association’s Gold Food for Life Served Here award.

The team are the longest-standing holder of the accolade in the UK, having held the award for its primary school meals since 2008.

Staff serve up 5,100 Food for Life accredited meals a day across its 40 certified primary schools, 3,600 of which are free school meals.

Also helping them hold onto their title is the policy of using local suppliers as much as possible which, in turn, also helps the local economy.

Among the companies providing produce is Corrie Mains Farm, near Mauchline, which supplies free range eggs.

EAC’s catering manager, Doreen Sharp, is also an award winner after she was named 2018 Food for Life Served Here Schools Champion.

Doreen, a school cook for 30 years, said: “Serving Food for Life standard meals comes as second nature, and parents have come to expect a high quality.

”She also emphasized the importance of locally sourced, fresh produce, and EAC’s close bond with suppliers, adding: “I know all their names, even the names of the drivers.”

Councillor Gordon Jenkins, cabinet member for management and resources, said: “This is real testament to the hard work and commitment shown by employees and suppliers to deliver the very best for the young people of East Ayrshire.”