FOOD IN SCHOOLS POLICY- A
CATERING PERSPECTIVE
Janet McAlister
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
The Aims of NISCA
• Established in 2002 following membership of LACA
• Promote consistent standards of professionalism at all levels
of school catering
• To be a regional consultative body to the NI
Assembly/Government
• To develop school catering in order to meet the ever changing
and challenging demands
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
School Food has Changed!
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
It Really Has!
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Service Profile
• Arrangements for the Provision of Milk, Meals
and Related Facilities under provisions of
Articles 58 and 59 of the Education and
Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
• Breaks, breakfast, hospitality, functions and
meals on wheels in some areas.
• Approx. 135,000 meals served daily.
• 5,000 catering staff.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Service Profile
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1200 locations.
Uptake of meals – 56%
Free school meals – 25% Entitled
FSM - 81% Uptake
Catering for special diets and multi-cultural
needs.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Implementing Compulsory
Nutritional Standards
• Pilot took place in 2004
involving 100 schools.
• Rolled out to all schools
by 2007.
• All schools comply with
Lunch Standards 2007
and
• Standards for other
food and drinks 2008
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
The Challenges/Concerns
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Reduced meal numbers.
Increased cost of production.
Increased workload.
Menus to suit all age groups.
Increased levels of waste food.
Suitability of products.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
The Challenges/Concerns
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Training needs.
Promoting the service.
Monitoring arrangements.
School vending machines and tuck shops
Other food outlets around school.
Inconsistent messages across the school.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Working Together
• School Councils/SNAG
groups.
• Promotional Activities.
• Theme Days.
• Training.
• Meal Deals.
• The dining room
environment.
• Free school meals uptake.
• Loyalty schemes
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Engaging Parents
• Sending menus home.
• The use of the school
website
• Bring your parent
school lunch.
• Talks to parents and
pupils at open nights.
• Food tasting sessions.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Supporting the Policy
NISCA – Calendar of Events.
September 2013 - Launch of Food in Schools Policy
October 2013 - World Food Day
November 2013 - American Day
December 2013 - Christmas lunch
January 2014 - Farmhouse Breakfast week 26th - 31st
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
NISCA – Calendar of Events
February 2014 - National
Heart Month
March 2014 - International
School Meals Day
April 2014 - Easter
May 2014 - Fruity Friday
(World Cancer Research Fund)
June 2014 Summer Picnic
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
NISCA Awards 2014.
• Entry submissions must
demonstrate how you
have implemented a
Whole School Food
Policy in your school.
• Entries by 20th June
2014
• Ceremony in W5
Odyssey Arena 15
October 2014.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association
Conclusion
• The School Catering Service recognises that it is in a unique
position to influence the eating habits of children and young
people.
• Catering staff remain committed to that aim through a Whole
School Approach.
Northern Ireland School Caterers Association