The Edward Betham C of E Primary School

Our School Council meeting: School dinners

Today the School Council met with Miss Lisa and Miss Rosanne from our school catering company, ISS.

The children explained how they collected feedback from all children in Years 1-6, some parents/carers and staff about the school meals.

They shared the following in the meeting:

Some parents are unaware that the meals are free. Miss Lisa said that our school take up on meals was 80%, which is one of the highest in the borough.

Positives:

  • The food is free
  • The fruit is nice
  • The meals are hot
  • The chicken nuggets
  • The ice lollies
  • There is variety every day
  • They get the job done
  • Monday’s carrots: Miss Rosanne explained that these were peeled and prepared by the staff instead of using frozen ones.

Negatives:

  • The food taste is bland, boring and plain
  • The fish fingers are awful
  • Chips are undercooked
  • Watery soggy frozen vegetables
  • The pizza tastes like bread
  • Chicken is too dry, even though it is served in water. Miss Lisa said that she would serve the chicken in gravy in the future
  • The vegetarian options are limited and unappealing
  • Pasta: some days it is overcooked, other days undercooked
  • Lumpy custard
  • Food is served on wet plates

 

Miss Lisa explained the nutritional legalities she must follow when preparing food. She also said she would provide more condiments for meals and reduce the amount of frozen vegetables they use and replace them with fresh versions.

She shared the following with the children:

There will be a new menu in the summer term with a variety of food choices:

  • New items have been added to the menu including hot dogs.
  • There will be a new ice cream station with toppings children can add to their dessert as well as a range of new flavours, including mango.

Miss Lisa explained that they have a new supplier who will provide their chips and fish fingers, so the taste of these should improve.

The children said they look forward to tasting the new menu.

Miss Lisa concluded the meeting by asking the School Council to find out what Theme Day celebration lunches they would like to see in the future.

Thank you to Miss Lisa and Miss Rosanne for their time, and to the School Council and Ms Paul for all their work on this matter.