The initiative means ISS will now serve more than 50,000 plant-rich meals daily, including in London boroughs like Barnet, Ealing, Redbridge, and Southwark as well as locations in Slough, across Essex and Yorkshire. It aims to cut food-related emissions across the education sector.
ISS first signed up to the Coolfood Pledge in 2023. It began offering meals across a range of industries that boast a 38% lower carbon emission rate than the average school dish.
Zuzana Toth Orbanova, brand manager for education at ISS UK & Ireland, said: “We’re thrilled to be building on our longstanding partnership with Coolfood by launching certified low carbon, plant rich meals in primary schools in the UK. It is incredibly exciting to be delivering an industry first through these meals in education, and we’re proud to now introduce even younger students to learnings on sustainable food.
“This initiative will above all help to reduce the climate footprint of schools and empower young people to help build a more sustainable future through the choices they make. We’re delighted with initial feedback and can’t wait to bring such a wide variety of delicious, plant-rich, and expertly crafted recipes to school tables nationwide.”
ISS menus will feature the Coolfood badge to help students quickly spot low-carbon options, empowering them to make these planet-friendly decisions for themselves seamlessly.
Jenny Arthur, head of Coolfood, added: “Food is one of the most powerful tools we have to tackle climate change, and for young people in the UK, that change can start in the school canteen. With millions of school meals served every day, the lunch hall is a powerful place to shape habits, spark change, and celebrate flavour.
“Through this initiative, ISS and Coolfood are making sure the planet-friendly choices happen seamlessly so kids can just do what they do best: have fun and enjoy their school lunch. It’s an exciting step towards a new standard for sustainable, climate-friendly mealtimes across the education sector, one that is also delicious, diverse, and nutritious.”