Schools

School caterers turn to processed foods as cost and supply issues bite

A survey of catering providers by LACA shows the quality of school dinners is likely to worsen

A survey of catering providers by LACA shows the quality of school dinners is likely to worsen

10 Oct 2022, 6:30

More from this author

More than half of school caterers said they had or were considering using more processed ingredients in school dinners due to cost and supply issues

School caterers are increasingly having to alter menus and rely on more processed ingredients due to continuing cost and supply pressures, a new survey has found.

Research from the LACA, which represents school caterers, found its members had on average experienced a rise of 30 per cent in the cost of food items since May.

The findings, from a survey of organisations providing services across 9,874 schools, also showed that supply issues were continuing in kitchens.

Ninety-one per cent said they were still experiencing food shortages and substitutions in September, while 60 per cent said the situation had not changed or worsened since May.

As a result, more than three quarters – 76 per cent – said they had made alterations to menus, while 30 per cent had reduced the choices available to pupils.

The number of members swapping raw ingredients for alternatives such as packet mixes has also risen over the past six months.

More caterers replacing raw ingredients in school dinners

While 43 per cent of respondents in May told the LACA they either had or were considering increasing the use of processed foods, the proportion had risen to 54 per cent last month.

More than half, or 52 per cent, said they expected school food quality to worsen as a result of supply and cost issues.

It comes after the government announced an increase in funding for universal infant free school meals of just 7p per meal, while funding for means-tested meals for older pupils rose by just £10 a year.

Commenting on the survey’s findings, LACA’s chair Brad Pearce said: “The challenges facing our industry are set to get worse over the coming weeks and months.

“Without an increase in school meal funding the most vulnerable children in our society will go without, possibly, their only hot, healthy, and nutritious meal of the day.”

It also comes after the government launched a pilot aimed at driving up food standards in English schools.

Under the scheme, co-led by the DfE and the Food Standards Agency, council officers will undertake routine food hygiene inspections and ask questions and make observations about “nutrition-focussed” issues. It will run throughout the school year until July 2023.

Recruiting kitchen staff is also an issue

Catering providers are also struggling to recruit staff to kitchens, according to the report. Just nine per cent said they had no issues with recruitment, while 74 per cent said they had experienced a lack of applicants to posts including chefs and kitchen assistants.

Asked if the number of hours available for positions was having an impact on recruitment, 58 per cent said yes.

The LACA noted that because providers employ staff for “varying hours and at very specific times of the day”, other low-paid roles in retail or care could offer greater flexibility and support.

Schools Week recently revealed that vacancies for non-teaching support roles within schools had almost doubled since 2019, with unions and headteachers highlighting that staff were leaving for higher wages and greater flexibility in the private sector.

The Department for Education was contacted for comment.

Latest education roles from

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Chief Education Officer (Deputy CEO)

Romero Catholic Academy Trust

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Director of Academy Finance and Operations

Ormiston Academies Trust

Principal & Chief Executive

Principal & Chief Executive

Truro & Penwith College

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

Group Director of Marketing, Communications & External Engagement

London & South East Education Group

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

AI Safety: From DfE Guidance to Classroom Confidence

Darren Coxon, edtech consultant and AI education specialist, working with The National College, explores the DfE’s expectations for AI...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

How accurate spend information is helping schools identify savings

One the biggest issues schools face when it comes to saving money on everyday purchases is a lack of...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Building Character, Increasing Engagement and Growing Leaders: A Whole School Approach

Research increasingly shows that character education is just as important as academic achievement in shaping pupils’ long-term success. Studies...

SWAdvertorial
Sponsored post

Educators launch national AI framework to guide schools and colleges

More than 250 schools and colleges across the UK have already enrolled in AiEd Certified, a new certification framework...

SWAdvertorial

More from this theme

Politics, Schools

Reform government would ‘root out teachers brainwashing kids’ says MP Lee Anderson

Reform UK members tell party conference of need to crack down on 'brainwashing' teachers and stop schools 'becoming indoctrination...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Farage: ‘Let’s start teaching trades and services at school’

Reform leader also says he ‘will not stand for kids’ minds being poisoned in schools with a twisted interpretation...

Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Schools

Staff want compensation after summer cyber-attack

Schools warned incident could increase risk of phishing, fraud and identity theft for impacted employees

John Dickens
Schools

Lockdown: The schools forced to take emergency measures

Union calls for 'comprehensive' guidance as leaders warn of communications difficulties during incidents

Jack Dyson

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *