- How big is the school food market?
The UK school food market caters to more than 9 million pupils 2023/24 with 24.6% eligible for free school meals.
2. What foods sell best?
By common consent, fish and chips on a Friday are the best seller.
What food sells best is a fascinating question. Not all children can afford a school meal, with 900,000 children living in poverty nationwide failing to qualify for the Government’s Free School Meals scheme.
Rising costs are battering schools and parents. A recent LACA survey found that nearly 80 per cent had changed their menus due to supply issues, and some 38 per cent had reduced menu options because of rising food costs.
Switching from paying school meals to packed lunches also offers no financial help. According to new research by Starling Bank in 2023, the average cost of a school packed lunch is now £2.73 per day, 95 percent higher than in 2021. That is more in many cases than the cost of a school meal, but parents may be persuaded by the consistent quality of home-provided food.
Energy-saving heat recovery cuts running costs for schools using hood-type pass-through dishwashers.
3. What drinks sell best?
Judging by what comes through the dishwash, the school’s choice of squash is easily the most popular, along with plain water. Many schools also now provide refills for water bottles.
4. What health factors need to be considered?
The relentless pursuit of academic goals and consequent reduction in teaching of life skills over decades is leading the nation relentlessly towards record levels of obesity and diabetes. Food education and a strong and vibrant school meals culture are essential for the development of our children and for the future health of everyone else!
In 2022 to 2023, 64.0% of adults aged 18 years and over in England were estimated to be overweight or living with obesity. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/update-to-the-obesity-profile-on-fingertips/obesity-profile-short-statistical-commentary-may-2024#main-findings
British children face a lifetime of “diet-related illnesses” due to an increase in unhealthy eating, a damning report has warned. (Source: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/publication/neglected-generation-reversing-decline-childrens-health
The UK obesity rate alone is 27.8 per cent of population in 2023, making the UK one of the highest in Europe. The figure for the UK in 1975 was 10.7 per cent. (Source: https://www.ft.com/content/03fa7f4e-f50a-4876-9ea8-9852929f9c12
5. What is the biggest issue facing this market?
The school meals sector is significantly underfunded and has repeatedly called on the government to address the issue, but with ‘deafening’ silence in return. A new government might improve matters.
6. What one tip would you offer on getting your school food provision right?
At some point, the dishwashing will need replacing, and this is a significant opportunity to reduce labour and running costs and create substantial long-term savings.
Headteachers, local authorities and governors are persuaded to invest only when a solid business proves the argument for affordability, sustainability, and best value.
Dishwashing suppliers can provide contractors with the calculations to make a solid business case. The latest generation of dishwashers saves labour, energy, water, and chemicals and more than pays for itself. Fixed-price maintenance or extended warranties also protect the schools from unforeseen extra costs.
New-generation rack transport dishwashers use 38% less water, detergent, rinse aid, and 21% less energy than the previous generation, which means that sometimes, it is more economical in the long term to replace older machines sooner rather than waiting until their forecast end of working life.
