Initial Catering gains Red Tractor recognition

- Published: 10 March, 2010

Initial Catering Services has become a licensee to use the Red Tractor logo on a proportion of its meat products.

At a ceremony at the House of Lords, Lord Taylor of Holbeach CBE presented the plaque to Initial Catering, which has been awarded the logo in recognition of its work across private and public sector sites.

Initial Catering Services MD Paul Daly said: “The Red Tractor accreditation is part of an ongoing strategy to provide value to our customers by guaranteeing our food produce comes from farms and food companies that meet high standards in terms of overall quality, safety, hygiene and responsibility. By operating this sustainable procurement policy, we are supporting the British farming community and ensuring we continue to provide high-quality catering solutions.”

The company’s work across both the public and private sector includes more than 900 primary and secondary schools, which are covered by its Eden Foodservice Arm, and its autograph catering locations. The Red Tractor logo is said to signify that Initial sources its meat from assured farms that meet guaranteed standards in terms of animal welfare, environmental protection, safety and hygiene.

David Clarke, Assured Food Standards chief executive, added: “Our primary mission is to represent the hard work and dedication of 75,000 Red Tractor Assured Farmers and encourage the adoption of world-class standards of production. However, the Red Tractor scheme can only work if there is demand from businesses such as Initial Catering Services, so we are thrilled by their commitment to sourcing quality farm-assured meat.”

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