Along with the certificate, we have reached one significant goal for which we have worked very hard. However, this is just one milestone in a long road of development that we will continue on whilst constantly improving our operations. In the future, our progress in environmental issues will be monitored in connection with the annual quality audits.

The certificate was granted by Bureau Veritas.

The Social Services Department and Palmia have co-operated in the preparations for the transfer of the child day care food services so that the child day care centres will continue to serve nutritious and balanced food that is suitable for children in the future. As before, a variety of food for those with special diets will be served. When planning meals for children and young people who are growing up fast, the special points of emphasis include respect for Finnish culinary culture together with providing healthy and safe meals.

As concerns child day care centre meals, no major operational changes are being planned. The aim is to ensure that children can enjoy healthy and safe mealtimes, the services for which are principally produced by the same food staff, and following the same meal guidelines, as before. Child day care centre meals will be further developed in co-operation with the City of Helsinki Social Services Department, which is responsible for food services orders.

The security services provided are to include security guard services, monitoring and supervision of the transport services, and the planning of overall security. In addition to the main contest event, additional security services will be required for some of the contest’s supplementary programmes.

Palmia catering has been providing municipal meal and grocery services to the City of Helsinki for 90-years.  Our official anniversary will be the 8th May 2007. In honour of this anniversary, we have arranged a recipe and writing competition that is open to all who wish to take part.

Recipe Competition

Our goal is to discover new, interesting and fresh ideas for both everyday meals, as well as for meals intended for special occasions. Prizes will be awarded for the best entries. In the spring of 2008, we intend to make use of the best of the competition entries, by putting them into practice in our own canteens.

Rules:

1. The contest is open to all.
2. Both novices and professionals will compete together in the same series.
3. The series are: a usual everyday dish, dessert, dish for a special occasion.
4. Each dish is to be given a name.
5. The basic ingredients should originate from the local produce available from the Province of Uusimaa.
6. The recipe should be planned for 6 persons.
7. The recipe must be feasible - so that it could be reasonably reproduced in one of our own typical canteens.
8. If the recipe is in some way connected to a particular story or tale, include details.
9. Enclose you name, telephone no., e-mail address.

Recipes should be sent by 31.8.2007 to: reseptikilpailu@palmia.fi or Palmia Catering-Services, Recipe Competition, PO Box 9500, 00099 Helsinki

After the closing date, our jury will retire to evaluate and test the recipes received. We reserve the right to make minor changes in the recipes, if required. The recipes received will remain at the disposal of the catering-services.

Writing Competition

To honour our anniversary, we would like to compile a history of our staff and school canteens and their kitchens over the decades, as a record for our clients and our personnel.

The theme you choose could be, for example:

• the best or the worst dining experience you have ever had
• a funny situation that makes you smile - even years after the event
• what happened, when in front of you were placed …
• past/present interesting ways to work and interesting equipment
• special events or happenings in restaurants and in the kitchens

The best submissions will be awarded a prize and the best entries will be published.

Rules:

1. The contest is open to all.
2. The texts should preferably be type-written and only on one side of the paper. 
3. There is no limit to the length of the story.
4. Each story should be given a name.
5. Tell in what decade the story is set.
6. Enclose your name, telephone no., e-mail address.
7. If you have pictures, include them with your entry.

Texts should be sent by 31.8.2007 to: kirjoituskilpailu@palmia.fi or Palmia Catering-Services, Writing Competition, PO Box 9500, 00099 Helsinki.

After the closing date, our jury will retire to review all the received entries. The entries will remain in the catering-services archives.

The winners of both competitions will be announced on 31st October 2007 on Palmia's website and in the company magazine.

We wish you plenty of luck and lots of inspiration!

Palmia Catering Services has concluded an agreement with the Finnish Association of Municipalities for catering services at their headquarters. The contract was valid from the 5.3.2007.

The catering services will manage the association headquarters' staff canteen and coffee bar facilities. The reception services, and meeting and special function activities, will also be the responsibility of Palmia Catering Services.