Compass Group's education catering specialist, Chartwells has won a new £35m school catering contract with Lewisham Council, which will see the firm provide school meals to 67 schools across area.
Chartwells first won the contract to provide school meals to Lewisham in 1999 and since has worked to constantly evolve and update its school meals offer, reflecting the changing needs of children whilst maintaining its commitment to delivering great tasting healthy food.
This ongoing commitment will see Chartwells further improve the variety of meals it provides, by investing in research with school children across Lewisham to get their feedback and develop new ideas.
Lewisham primary schools will benefit from refreshed lunchtime menus that have been redesigned to appeal to 4-11 year-olds, with the introduction of the Food Superheroes to enhance nutritional education and help sustain and increase school meal uptake.
In May 2014, Chartwells worked in partnership with Lewisham Council to launch the Lewisham Training Kitchen within the Green Man Community Centre in south Lewisham. A full calendar of events to encourage schools and local residents to use the facilities has been created.
The contract employs over 400 employees most of whom are local residents, delivering catering services to 67 Lewisham schools. As part of this contract, Chartwells will be offering three apprenticeships a year to Lewisham residents, working with volunteers within the Training Kitchen and creating at least 20 work experience opportunities for students during the contract term.
Robin Mills, Managing Director, commented, “We are thrilled to continue working with Lewisham. This is an important contract to us and we have worked hard to meet their specific needs and requirements. Our team have built a unique relationship with the Council here since 1999, based on trust, shared objectives and mutual respect.
'I think our eagerness to support the local community and bring innovation and fresh ideas to the table, such as our free porridge breakfast initiative, all worked in our favour. Our commitment to apprenticeship schemes and our management of the Lewisham Training Kitchen, which has become a real hub for the local community, also helped ensure we successfully retained this contract.”