Hampshire County Council has been awarded the UK ‘Good Egg Award’ for it’s success in establishing the supply of local free-range eggs into Hampshire schools.

This award has been made by Compassion in World Farming following work undertaken by county food group Hampshire Fare to seek a supplier of local free-range eggs on behalf of the buying arm of Hampshire County Council, County Supplies.

In place since the end of February, Fluffetts Farm in Fordingbridge is supplying in excess of 600,000 free-range eggs per year to be used in 32 Hampshire secondary and 446 Hampshire primary and special schools, as well 4 Hampshire care homes, 6 Wiltshire primary and secondary Schools and 1 Dorset primary school . The eggs are distributed by 3663, based near Salisbury, thereby ensuring minimal food miles.

Hampshire County Council Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Economic Development, Councillor Michael Woodhall, together with Tim Brock, Hampshire Fare Manager, Gwaine Cook, 3663 Business Development Controller and Penny Jackson of Fluffetts Farm, collect the award at a ceremony on 29th April at The House of Commons in London.

This is the first time that the award has been presented to a County Council. Previous winners have included Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and the Eden Project.

This award builds on the existing successes of Hampshire County Supplies, Hampshire County Council caterers HC3S and Hampshire Fare to find and use sustainable sources of local food for school meals and council catering. These include local beef, pork and lamb, much of it organic, as well as local milk, fish, vegetables and cheese.

Cllr Michael Woodhall said: “Hampshire County Council is very proud indeed to be the first County Council in the country to win a Good Egg Award. It really highlights the importance we place on providing sustainable healthy school meals and supporting the rural economy. The effective partnerships in place to make this new initiative work are also testament to why the County Council now leads the way in the public sector procurement of local food. Locating a Hampshire-based farm capable of supplying in excess of 600,000 eggs per year has required a committed and dedicated effort from Hampshire County Supplies, which should be highly commended and we are delighted to have found Fluffetts Farm of Fordingbridge who are able to respond to our challenge”.

Tim Brock, Hampshire Fare Manager said: “This initiative once again proves that it really is possible for the public sector to use locally sourced food. Hampshire County Council must be applauded for its commitment to supporting local producers and for the quality of its school meals”

Amanda Frost, Head of Hampshire County Council Catering Services (HC3S) said: “The Good Egg Award will help HC3S to demonstrate to parents that the school meal is not only about providing good food to children but also that we care about where our food comes from, particularly with regard to animal welfare”. Penny Jackson of Fluffetts Eggs added: “It is very positive for me to know that eggs from my hens farmed responsibly and in natural surroundings are being used to feed local schoolchildren”.

Gwaine Cook, 3663’s Business Development Controller said: “3663 are proud to work closely with Hampshire County Council in fulfilling their local procurement directives and using free range eggs in their catering outlets, as this also integrates seamlessly with our own policies on local sustainable food procurement, which we have made a core part of our ongoing strategy in corporate social responsibility. Our relationship with Hampshire County Council has for a long time been based on looking to the future and often this has led to Hampshire being ground-breakers in terms of new concepts and initiatives such as achieving the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group accreditation and organic products appearing on primary school and secondary school menus”.

To find out more about the 26 local producers supplying Hampshire County Council’s Catering Service (HC3S), visit http://www3.hants.gov.uk/caterers/hc3s-food/hc3s-localsuppliers.htm.

For more information about food and drink from Hampshire visit www.hampshirefare.co.uk.

For more information about this press release, please contact Tim Brock at Hampshire Fare on 01962 845999 / 07889 069291 tim.brock@hants.gov.uk

Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre Issued by: Suzie Southgate, Media Communications Officer, on 01962 847367