Latest News

Contract caterer Aspens secures three year deal with North Birmingham Academy

29 November 2011 | West Midlands Region

Independent contract caterer Aspens Services has been awarded a new three-year foodservice deal by North Birmingham Academy, part of the expanding E-ACT group of Academies.

The foodservice deal starts in January 2012 and will enable Aspens to continue to work closely with the Academy, which is set to move into brand-new buildings currently under construction. Aspens is advising on the design and layout of the new dining facilities which will cater for up to 1,200 students.

At the same time, the company is celebrating securing the Soil Association’s Food for Life Silver C

Caterer AiP wins second Bedford catering contract

29 November 2011 | East of England Region

Public and private education caterers Alliance in Partnership (AiP) has secured a second contract at a Bedfordshire school.

The five year contract awarded by Samuel Whitbread Community College in Shefford has a value of £1.5 million to the privately owned catering company.

AiP has been busy at work introducing brand new marketing throughout the campus, new wider choice menus and new point of sale techniques.

School meals provider Chartwells wins catering contract with Derby City Council

28 November 2011 | East Midlands Region

School meals provider Chartwells, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has won a three year catering contract worth £4.5 million by Derby City Council.

Chartwells will deliver school catering services to 5,700 pupils across 32 primary and special schools in Derby city.

Chartwells works with 13 local authorities across the UK, catering for thousands of students and serving 57 million quality meals a year to pupils throughout the country.

John Carlin, business director for Chartwells, said: "We are thrilled that Derby City Council has chosen Chartwells as its school me

BBC reports LACA warning on return of unhealthy food to schools

25 November 2011

LACA chair Lynda Mitchell’s comments about concerns caterers have about the return to schools of unhealthy snacks are being reported on the BBC website.

She’s reported as saying that six years after the Jamie Oliver campaign and the introduction of strict nutritional guidelines, LACA members are getting requests for fatty foods and sweets.

The requests are from some of England's new academy schools, which do not have to follow the guidelines.

Jamie Oliver voices concern over school meals in free schools and academies

25 November 2011

Jamie Oliver has voiced his concerns for the future of school meals and their nutritional standards, calling the Conservatives “very clever” for introducing free schools, an extension of the academy programme.

Like academies, they are not run by local authorities. As a result they are free to provide services such as catering as they see fit without reference to the nutritional standards that apply in state schools.

Elior UK introduces training workshops for schools

25 November 2011 | London Region

The Elior Chef School involves interactive workshops held under the instruction of its senior chef team and renowned industry chefs, including Anton Edelman, and combines practical experience with traditional learning.

Each month students cover different topics, from butchery and bread making to sauces and seafood, while working towards a Level 2 NVQ. Most of the sessions are held at Elior’s flagship development kitchen at Waterstone’s Piccadilly.

Many Elior suppliers are involved with the programme, supplying ingredients for the classes and hosting visits.

UK children are feasting on junk food at least three times a day, finds study

25 November 2011

A new British Heart Foundation survey has unveiled statistics that nearly one in three UK children eat sweets, chocolate and crisps three or more times a day, while almost nine in ten children surveyed (88%) were not eating their recommended five portions of fruit and veg every day.

The survey of 2,000 11- to 16-year-olds helps give a snapshot of their daily diet.

Plymouth schools celebrate award of silver Food for Life catering mark

23 November 2011 | South West Region

School meals champion Jeanette Orrey, the Nottinghamshire dinner lady who inspired Jamie Oliver’s school meals campaign, has presented the silver Food for Life catering mark to Plymouth City Council’s Education Catering Service.

The award was earned by the service for the healthy, climate-friendly meals served to 72 schools across the city.

Subsidised middle manager training places on offer

23 November 2011

Following the success of the Middle Managers training in partnership with Kendal College and the Institute of Hospitality, LACA is seeking applications for the 2012 programme.

It will start in late January and run until early July 2012 to complete the full qualification at Level 3.

Up to 10 places are available and are offered at a favourable rate, subsidised by LACA and the Savoy Educational Trust.

Islington and Richmond top London Borough league table for good food

21 November 2011 | London Region

The London Boroughs of Islington and Richmond-upon-Thames have been praised for “inspiring food leadership” for their work to promote healthy and sustainable food, in an audit of local authority food-related activities published today.

These two London boroughs are supporting community food growing, improving school food, helping residents reduce food waste, encouraging local food outlets to use healthier ingredients, and buying ethical food in schools and local authority canteens, including Fairtrade products, free range eggs and sustainable fish.

Eight more boroughs out of t