A new look school meals service is welcoming back Warwickshire pupils this September.
Educaterers has taken over the delivery of school meals from Warwickshire County Council as part of an ambitious project, which has seen the council set up its first Local Authority Traded Company.
Warwickshire County Council has provided a successful catering service to schools in Warwickshire for over 25 years. By setting up as a new, stand-alone company, Educaterers has more freedom to compete; bid for new contracts; and reinvest back into the business.
As a traded company there is also more flexibility to work with local suppliers and producers. Educaterers is wholly owned by Warwickshire County Council as the sole shareholder.
Cllr Peter Butlin Portfolio Holder for Finance and Property said, “We are excited to announce the launch of the council’s first traded company. Educaterers will build on the success and reputation of the council’s school catering service, while being able to operate and compete on a more commercial basis.”
Terry Tredget, Director of Catering of Educaterers said, “Educaterers is committed to delivering a healthy and nutritious catering service that schools can confidently recommend to parents, ensuring pupils have a safe, caring and enjoyable food experience.”
The Educaterers team at Woodloes Primary provides 25,000 school meals each day to 195 schools in Warwickshire and holds The Soil Association’s Silver Food for Life Award this is a guarantee that fresh food is always on the menu. Educaterers menus use a selection of local, seasonal and organic ingredients that are free from endangered fish and include meat and dairy products from farms with good standards of animal welfare.
Among the initiatives designed to encourage take up of school meals, Educaterers has launched the Nutrigang to primary schools. This campaign, which presents four friends with different hobbies and interests sharing a passion about food, is designed to create a more engaging lunchtime experience for younger pupils.
