The information provided on our School Catering page will be of interest to Parents, Schools, Caterers, Governors, and anyone who has any interest in school food in Swindon. You will be able to find out how we currently operate in Swindon, and what we are doing with some of the government funding we have been given towards our ‘Transforming school food Project’.

There are many useful links and invaluable information about the many aspects of school food in our ‘Directory of Expertise’ – click here to see this document Directory of Expertise

This information will be regularly updated to keep up with both local and national progress, and any new initiatives that come to light. This directory is aimed at both school meals providers, and anyone who has interest in the school meal agenda.

Swindon College – Fun and Interactive Cookery Sessions for Swindon Schools

As part of our ‘Transforming School Food initiative, we have provided funding to Swindon College to carry out workshops in schools in Swindon. These have several themes, but all help to engage children and parents to engage with the healthy eating agenda.

These workshops are available to schools in Swindon free of charge. Below are some of the comments Swindon College have received after schools and other organisations have benefited from their expert sessions:

Ready Steady Cook

'A truly superb evening. The organisation, skills and professionalism of the staff was admired and appreciated by all who attended. The enthusiasm of the children and parents was extremely apparent and relayed to me and other staff many times during the evening. A truly captivating evening. Thank you so much Swindon College catering team!'

Cookery Club - Saturday Workshop

‘A fantastic session. The children thoroughly enjoyed the morning and gained much insight into skills, techniques, ingredients and cooking methods. Steve's calm, relaxed approach was very infectious and kept the children calm also. Thank you so much.'

‘A brilliant experience. The children really enjoyed themselves and staff were tremendously helpful. Children really enjoyed the cooking and seeing behind the scenes.’

Bread making

‘Superb session - children thoroughly enjoyed it and learned lots - excellent.
Thank you.’

Healthy Lunchboxes

‘Approx 50 parents and children attended. They all enjoyed the informal session where they could taste and try. They were able to take away recipes to use at home. Some very happy parents - good feedback given as they left the hall. Steve and Katherine were very sociable and gave parents some helpful tips.’

Healthy Cooking

‘The girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves and want to know when we can go again. Ready Steady Cook with them would be great. Please keep in touch with any offers.’

Mexican Cooking

‘Very informative and appropriate. Children enjoyed touching, smelling and tasting different foods. Very well organised.’

Bread making

’Thank you so much. It was just right for 7/8 year olds. They enjoyed it and learned lots.’

Healthy Eating

’Thank you so much for yesterday. Again it was a great success. We would also like to do more on Healthy Lunches or/and Smoothies.’

If you would like more information about these courses, or would like to book a course, please contact Jacki McIver on 01793 498404, or email JackiMcIver@swindon-college.ac.uk.

Please click on the following link to view the promotion flyer: Healthy_Eating for Schools

Food Policy in Schools - Catering and Food Procurement Supplement

This supplement to the National Governors Association's guide "Food Policy in Schools - a strategic policy framework for school governing bodies" advises governors on how to produce whole school policy statements to promote healthy food and improve sustainability and efficiency in their procurement of food and provision of catering services.

This useful document is available on the following link:

www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement

Million Meals Campaign

The School Food Trust have launched a campaign to increase the uptake of healthier school meals. This links to the Government’s Obesity Strategy ‘Healthy Weight: Healthy Lives’.

The aim is to have 1 million more children eating a school meal by 2010. Promotional material includes ‘Ten Plates’, which include tips to engage pupils, parents and carers, and anyone interested in school food.

There are incentives for schools that join up, such as a roll of honour, and ‘School of the Month’, where the SFT will give the winning school money to develop their good practice even further.

So far, we have 19 schools in Swindon that are signed up to Million Meals.

Further information on this campaign can be found here:

millionmeals.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/ask-each-other/people.php