An Edinburgh care home has become the first in Scotland to win a coveted Soil Association’s Silver Food For Life (FFL) Catering Mark.

The City of Edinburgh Council’s Inchview Care Home earned the sought-after grade after residents worked closely with senior cook Shirley Kennedy to dream up tasty, home-cooked meals using local, organic ingredients. The care home now makes at least 95% of all meals from scratch.

Home-grown ingredients are also set to be used, now that a polytunnel has been built at the home by volunteer Stuart McKenzie. There’s a vegetarian day once a week, and staff and residents have visited a local farm to learn about organic produce.

The FFL Catering Mark is a UK-wide scheme which provides a guarantee about the sustainability and traceability of food, and recognises caterers’ commitments to serving meals that are fresh and seasonal.

Councillor Lesley Hinds, Convener of Transport and Environment, said: “This is a great achievement and an excellent example of the fantastic work that is going on in our care homes. The residents are benefiting by enjoying lovely meals that they have helped to develop, and staff are developing their skills and knowledge.

“For Inch View to have attained the Catering Mark in such a short period of time is testament to the Council’s strong commitment to sustainability and to providing fresh, nourishing and locally sourced food across our facilities.”

Angela Mitchell, Acting Director of the Soil Association Scotland, said: “It is a huge achievement for the team at Inch View Care Home and the City of Edinburgh Council to become the first care home in Scotland to gain the Silver Food for Life Catering Mark award. Good food is so important for people of all ages and it’s great to see Inch View gaining recognition for serving fresh and healthy meals made with seasonal, local and organic ingredients.

“The proactive approach by the committed management team at Inch View has been a critical factor in its success; something we hope to see replicated in care settings across Scotland.”

The City of Edinburgh Council is an active participant in Edinburgh’s

Partnership, part of the Sustainable Edinburgh 2020 Framework, one of the aims of which is to support the development of Edinburgh as a Sustainable Food City.