Addressing the Challenges in School Catering and Recruitment
The second in our ‘Back to School’ brief articles is from Cadaema associate Aidan Ross.
He is the Owner and Managing Director of Cantium Catering Consultancy.
He addresses the Challenges in school catering that all schools face in delivering catering services to their students.
Aidan has enjoyed a long career in the food industry, learning to cook with his grandma. He went on to be a successful chef, progressing to Operations Director for a large catering company. In 2020 he set up his own company, Cantium Catering Consultancy, and now provides a range of services to support schools, helping to improve not only their food choices, but also their operational efficiency.
Post-COVID, the education sector still battles labour shortages. Maintaining adequate staffing levels remains difficult. Many chefs have left the industry, either by choice or due to redundancy.
Large, justified minimum wage increases add pressure. The London Living Wage adds further pressure on school catering finances.
Additionally, limited free movement from the EU to the UK has reduced European nationals. They were historically relied upon across the catering sector. This further worsens staff shortages.
Beyond staffing issues, schools are also contending with significant budget pressures. Rising food and energy costs, plus salary increases have led to financial strain, with many schools operating on deficit budgets. While academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) may have more budget flexibility compared to state schools, both are feeling the squeeze, particularly when it comes to maintaining or upgrading equipment and ensuring consistent food quality.
Given these challenges, maintaining compliance with the School Food Plan remains crucial.
However, the temptation to cut corners and offer cheaper, less nutritious options is understandable under the pressures they face.
This compromises health and well-being, and the sector’s perception among students and parents suffers.
Schools and councils must hold caterers accountable, ensuring high-quality, nutritious meals rather than a diet of beige.
In many state schools, the quality of food has much room for improvement, which is particularly concerning given the importance of good nutrition for children’s development. While primary schools often receive more scrutiny, secondary schools face additional complexities due to the more commercial nature of their food offerings.
Improving school catering is not just about budgets and labour.
It’s about making a holistic commitment to the health and well-being of students. Moreover, this commitment should be embedded in the curriculum and the pastoral and safeguarding obligations of schools.
Additionally, ensuring pupils receive nutritious meals remains essential. Moreover, addressing recruitment and financial challenges the sector faces is crucial for viability.
Get in touch if you would like more information on how Cadaema can support your school or MAT in addressing these challenges.