“Caterers have to educate parents and carers that value for money nutritious meals can be provided for their children, costing no more than a packed lunch,” explains David Weller, AiP’s Managing Director.
Corporate responsibility, environmental and sustainability issues are paramount to education caterers. Providing healthy dishes from accredited sources, maintaining variety, taste and freshness can be costly to the bottom line, yet industry qualifications, internal standards and health and safety inspections go a long way to excel reputations.
AiP secured the Food for Life Catering Mark last year at Bronze level in 62 schools and achieved a further 27 at Silver level. The Catering Mark is an award scheme which offers a step-by-step route to providing freshly prepared, locally produced, seasonal and organic food. Open to caterers in all sectors, the Catering Mark requires the caterer’s menu to be 75% freshly prepared and include local and organic.
Other green initiatives include the supply of Marine Stewardship Council approved fish, Red Tractor meats, electronic administration, biodegradable packaging and waste reduction. Even electric vehicles can save huge costs for caterers; two vehicles introduced by AiP have forecast savings of £20,000 per annum.
With today’s economic constraints schools are looking for added value without quality compromise. A healthy outlook on environmental issues and quality ingredients not only aid healthy nutritious meal preparation but also healthy pupils and repute.
AiP’s commitment to health and nutrition is at the top of their agenda. With a 70% increase in turnover during the last three years, 35 new contracts secured in 2010 and ten clients extending or taking out new contracts over the next three months, the future is looking green and healthy!
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