Pictured: Front, left to right, North Birmingham Academy students Kimala Lopez, Lauren Felkin, Tashara Cowell, Delzerine Duberry and Emily Hadley. Back, left to right, Andy Crees, director of business and finance at North Birmingham Academy; Aspens Services director Amanda Ashmore; Aspens general manager at North Birmingham Academy, Stuart Vidler; Aspens food and beverage executive Ken Tee

Expanding independent contract caterer Aspens Services has been awarded a new three-year foodservice contract by North Birmingham Academy, part of the expanding E-ACT group of Academies.

The foodservice deal starts in January 2012 and will enable Aspens to continue to work closely with the Academy, which is set to move into brand-new buildings currently under construction.  Aspens is advising on the design and layout of the new dining facilities which will cater for up to 1,200 students.

At the same time, the company is celebrating securing the Soil Association's Food for Life Silver Catering Mark for the Academy's catering service, recognising its high standard of healthy and sustainable meals using locally-sourced and organic produce.

North Birmingham Academy is the only Academy in the West Midlands that now holds the Food for Life award at the Silver level.  Other initiatives introduced by Aspens at North Birmingham Academy include providing annual sponsorship for two students for their university education. The company's directors are also running a programme supporting the Academy's business studies students via participation in their lessons, providing 'real life' experience to add value to their academic studies.

Local, seasonal produce

"We are absolutely delighted to be continuing our strong working relationship with North Birmingham Academy through the award of this new contract," says Aspens director Amanda Ashmore. "Since we started catering at the Academy in January 2009, we have worked closely with students and staff to develop the meals service. We are thrilled that our commitment to the use of local, seasonal produce as well as organic and Fairtrade items, free-range eggs, high welfare meat and sustainably-sourced fish has been recognised through the Food for Life Silver Catering Mark." 

Aspens has worked with North Birmingham Academy providing advice on the new kitchen and catering areas, including a branded Costa coffee shop, being built as part of its major redevelopment. The Academy will move into new buildings in 2013 with student numbers set to rise to 1,200 in the new buildings.

As part of its sustainable approach, Aspens sources all perishable supplies from farmers and producers within a 25-mile radius of its catering locations, reducing food miles and boosting local economies. Menus incorporate organic and Fairtrade produce as standard. The company holds the British Hen Welfare Trust Gold 'Eggsellence' Award for using only free-range eggs in its menus.