Catering Services

School Meals

Feeding our future

A message from Maureen Lowes, Catering Services Manager.

I would like to outline to you what Catering Services have been doing, what we are doing and what we will be doing in the future to ensure that the children of our borough receive a fair meal deal.

There has been much publicity recently regarding school meals. I would like to take this opportunity to answer questions, which as a parent myself, I believe need to be addressed.

I am sure you will appreciate that the price spent per meal is dictated by central and local Government.

Here in Catering services we endeavour to create an interesting and nutritious meal within the price constraints.

However, our spend per meal is well above the national average.

I can assure you that Catering Services always put the welfare of children first. All our staff are fully trained and qualified.

We operate an ongoing training programme, including the assistance of a qualified nutritionist.

Since I joined Catering Services in March 2002 we have:

• Continued to work in partnership with Headteachers of Secondary schools
• Created a Healthy Eating Charter for Secondary Schools
• Introduced Fruit and Vegetable Workshops for Primary Schools
• Restricted chips to once in a 3 week cycle, these are 33% less fat
• Taken off all carbonated drinks in Primary Schools and most Secondary Schools
• Created a range of healthy items targeting secondary age pupils
• Ensured that yoghurt, fresh fruit, cheese and biscuits are available daily
• Introduced more pasta dishes
• Taken off 'Turkey Twizzlers'!
• Introduced more home-made main courses - fish pie, shepherd's pie topped with carrots and swede
• Used our mascot Oscar, directed at primary children, to help better decision making
• Begun training staff to achieve a qualification in nutrition
• Supported the Healthy Eating, 5-a-day initiative

We will continue by:

• Taking off all breaded products
• Streamlining our menus more
• Introducing more fresh ingredients
• Widening our range of vegetarian dishes
• Offering Fair Trade products in Secondary Schools
• Encouraging greater parent involvement

Menus

What's on offer in our canteens and restaurants

The Catering Team|

Who's involved in feeding our future.

Free school meals|

Help for families on low incomes.

Healthy Schools|

Aims of the National Healthy Schools Programme.

Oscar chooses wisely - School meals pupil booklet PDF 1.04M

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