Schools catering supporting local food producers
- Trends are shifting towards using locally sourced ingredients to reduce food milage and support local economies. Ensuring fresher ingredients but also greater climate impact, aligning with sustainability goals and enhancing the quality of meals served. [1]
- The Single Academy Trust reprocured its onsite catering to not only meet educational and nutritional standards but also to innovate in ways that would significantly enhance the pupil experience.
Saving achieved over a 5-year contract period
Used cooking oil is collected separately to be used for sustainable heating and fuel. Working with the supply chain to save 125 tonnes of paper per year, equating to savings of around 3,000 trees annually
Menus and food packaging were innovatively designed to promote healthier eating choices among pupils, addressing nutritional needs and food education
Compliance was crucial due to the project’s £2.5 million value guaranteeing adherence to standards and regulations
The introduction of a popular coffee brand and the development of new outdoor catering facilities provided a "High Street" feel that appeals to older pupils, making the school a more inviting place to learn and interact
Supplier investment of £118,479 significantly enhanced service delivery, ensuring high-quality meal provision aligned with DfE food standards
New outdoor kiosk along with an outdoor seating area providing sixth form area with an updated catering facility that supports the production of new menus
Introduction of a food education programme, supporting the curriculum subjects such as PSHE, PE, Geography and Science
Live presentations and interactive sessions were part of a broader strategy to engage pupils actively in nutrition and environmental stewardship, enhancing their learning experience and providing practical education opportunities
We needed someone to accelerate us through the process. We were particularly impressed with the bespoke proposal we received from Value Match and felt, on balance, it was a worthwhile exercise to do, with the aim of saving money.
