Cucina commits to sustainable catering

The majority of Cucina's meat is now Red Tractor accredited, which means there are assurances that farmers are meeting standards of good agricultural practice and shows that Cucina is working to reduce its carbon footprint and environmental impact. The Red Tractor scheme includes more than 78,000 farmers who are committed to maintaining high standards of food safety, hygiene, animal welfare, environmental protection and traceability. All coffee and chocolate used by Cucina in their 30 restaurants within schools nationwide is Fairtrade, with the coffee served being bean-to-cup. Cucina also uses bio-degradable packaging, which distinguishes them from many contract caterers. Cucina is developing further biodiversity initiatives, such as re-using oil used in the kitchens as fuel. Cucina sources ingredients from a range of local and national suppliers, setting high food provenance standards. All of the eggs and egg-based products in Cucina's restaurants are free-range, all fish used is MSC certified from sustainable stocks, with more than 90 per cent of the fruit and vegetables grown in the UK. Steve Quinn, managing director of Cucina, said: "Cucina's food promises and green credentials are strong and we are delighted to be among the first caterers in the country to use Red Tractor meat and to support British farmers. When Cucina set out to raise the quality of school meals, we sometimes felt like a lone voice in the wilderness. "It is therefore particularly pleasing and rewarding to know that organisations such as Red Tractor, the Food For Life Partnership and the School Food Trust are recognizing and accrediting the values that companies like Cucina stand by."