A Dorset school meals supplier has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Local Food Links (LFL) is an independent caterer that supplies 3,000 meals a day in schools across Dorset.

This year it celebrated its 10th anniversary and most recently it has been shortlisted for Contract Caterer of the Year in the prestigious 2017 EDUcatering Excellence Awards.

The awards recognise outstanding contributions to the entire school catering industry.

LFL has been dishing up school dinners to thousands of pupils in Dorset for over a decade and has grown from small beginnings, serving soup and a roll in Bridport schools one day a week, to becoming a multi-site operation, now supplying 34 schools across Dorset.

It is both a social enterprise and an ethical organisation which is passionate about feeding children well using high-quality ingredients as well as supporting local businesses.

Caroline Morgan, chief executive of LFL, said: “This is fantastic news.

“We are so proud to have been shortlisted and recognised nationally and I would like to thank our staff for all their hard work and commitment.”

Mike Henderson, chairman of LFL, added: “It is important that the contributions of smaller and not-for-profit organisations are recognised in the school catering industry.

“LFL has worked flexibly and in partnership with schools to ensure that pupils in small rural schools have equal access to high quality school meals.”

LFL has four kitchens based in Bridport, Dorchester, Blandford and Shillingstone

78 per cent of ingredients for LFL are purchased from Dorset suppliers and the organisation has big aspirations for the future and plans to be supplying to even more schools over the next 10 years.

To celebrate 10 years of LFL pupils enjoyed a special meal. of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding or homity pie followed by a birthday cupcake. Each pupil will also be given a special edition 10th birthday recipe book featuring 10 LFL recipes to take home, enabling them to enjoy fabulous food at weekends and in the school holidays whilst also learning to cook.

The winners of the 2017 EDUcatering Excellence Awards awards will be announced on Tuesday, October 10.

For more information about the organisation and the work it does visit localfoodlinks.org.uk