About us
Since inception in 1999, LACA has set out to inform, develop, represent and support its members through a range of initiatives and services. The Association became a Company Limited by Guarantee in 2009.
The Association represents the School Food Industry and membership is open to all parties who make a contribution to this market sector - providers (public and private sector) client officers, consultants, suppliers and manufacturers. Individual schools may become members of the Association.
There are twelve regions; the english regions are based upon the government regional geographic structures and additonally there is a region in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. (The Northern Ireland region is currently dormant.) Some regions join together to run as one; these are currently London & South East Region and Scotland & North East Region
The Organisation draws on the strengths of its membership nationally, and is managed through its members on a voluntary basis. Each region elects a representative to sit on the LACA Board and become a Director of LACA Ltd. The Directors of LACA Ltd have overall responsibility for decisions made by the Association.
There is a continuing need for all involved in the industry to work together to maintain high standards in the school catering service, and thus make a major contribution to the health of future generations.
Additionally - by attracting as many customers as possible and providing an additional learning opportunity within schools - an important public service should be maintained resulting in assured employment for the many thousands of staff, a vibrant supply industry in both food and equipment streams as well as the main improving public health target.. .
LACA Mission Statement:
Together, We Achieve Excellence in School Food
LACA Board of Directors
The Board is made up of the regional repesentatives together with the National Chair, the National Vice-Chairman, the Immediate Past Chairman and the Honorary Treasurer. The National Officers are elected from within the Board Members for a one year period of time - progressing from National Vice-Chairman to Chairman to Past Chairman - each volunteer committing three years to the national positions and ensuring continuity for the Association.
Baord Members join one of four Working Committees - Events Group, Membership Group, Communications Group or Finance & Administration Group. The chair of each committee is elected by the Board (from the Board) for a period of two years. The committees have responsibility for various aspects of LACA activity (see later) and together with the National Chairman, the National Vice-Chairman and the Immediate Past Chairman form the National Steering Group.
National Steering Group
Role of the National Steering Group:
- To recommend annual budget
- To monitor operating costs
- To let contracts and manage services when required
- Income generation strategy
- Assessment of individual committee expenditure proposed (Teh Board of Directors will agree the anual budget)
- Co-ordinate LACA's response of national issues e.g. changes in legislation
- Overview/review of Business Plan and Targets
* Note: Each Committee Chair is required to develop a plan and review of work programme with associated budget for approval at the commencement of the year (January) by National Steering Group Committee and subsequently the LACA Board
Each Committee Chair will manage, monitor and authorise payments to third party providers for services carried out against their committee budget.
