Ordering school lunches is fast becoming the new normal for many Kiwi families. A growing number of kids eat food that’s freshly made by school canteens or external food suppliers.
As a result, many schools are now using a lunch order programme where meals are provided by local food suppliers, such as bakeries and cafés.
If your school is thinking about going down that route, here are some ideas to help you find a great provider.
1. Have a clear idea of what your school is looking for
- Does your school have a food and drink policy?
- How many students are you expecting to cater for?
- What are your students’ budgets and spending patterns?
- What are the ethnicities of your students?
- Do you have an online ordering system? If not, would you like to introduce one?
2. Where to find potential suppliers
- The Heart Foundation’s Fuelled4life ‘Fresh Made’ offers individualised nutritional advice to food suppliers and school canteens that provide freshly-made lunch services. The website has a list of registered companies who supply healthier food choices.
- Personal recommendations are an ideal starting point for sourcing any new suppliers.
- Food outlets in your local area – your local café or bakery may be able to deliver into your school.
- Trade shows and magazines.
- Your local Heart Foundation Nutrition Advisor. Contact fuelled4life@heartfoundation.org.nz
3. How to choose the right supplier
- Visit the supplier to find out more about their processes and how they source, make, pack and deliver their products.
- Ask for testimonials and feedback from existing customers.
- What are your supplier’s policies for food safety management?
- Are the fresh food items prepared daily?
- Do they require a minimum order quantity?
4. Checklist for a healthy menu
- Most food choices are made from fresh wholesome ingredients and come from the four food groups: vegetables and fruit, milk and milk products, breads and cereals, and lean meat, fish, poultry, seafood, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds.
- Most of the foods supplied, whether packaged or fresh, should meet Food & Beverage Classification System Guidelines – the Heart Foundation can assist on menu and recipe assessment and provide advice on this.
- Healthier foods are competitively priced against the less healthy foods.
- No occasional foods should be provided, such as confectionary, deep-fried foods and sugar sweetened beverages.
- The menu is able to accommodate different ethnicities.
5. How to create a service agreement with your supplier
When you find a supplier you like, it’s important to create a service agreement. For example, make sure your food and drink policy is included, delivery times and frequency, level of order fulfilment or your policy on product substitution. With these agreements in place, your new supplier will know exactly what’s expected. Once you have settled on the suppliers you’d like to work with, negotiate terms and conditions and draw up contracts.
How can Fuelled4life help you?
Click here for many more tips on how to choose an external food provider.
Fuelled4life is based on the Ministry of Health’s Food and Beverage Classification System (FBCS). It’s a free, practical tool which helps schools provide healthier foods. It aims to increase access for young people to healthier food and beverages, and to inspire food services to provide tasty, nutritious products.
Foods, beverages and recipes are categorised according to the FBCS Nutrient Criteria into either; everyday or sometimes.
Everyday foods and drinks are lower in energy, fat and salt, so they’re appropriate for everyday consumption.
Sometimes foods and drinks are still good choices but are a bit higher in energy, saturated fat sugar and salt, so should be eaten in moderation. Sometimes foods and drinks should not dominate the choices available.
Sign up to Fuelled4life
One in three Kiwi kids is overweight or obese, but you can help change that.
If you are a teacher, principal, canteen manager, caterer or cook and would like to see your school offering healthier food and beverages, here’s what to do:
- Sign up to Fuelled4life for loads of free resources to help you choose healthier options.
- You’ll also get free access to the Fuelled4life website and newsletter with tips, recipes and information on ways to improve nutrition in your school.
For more information or one-to-one nutrition support, please contact the Fuelled4life team
on 09 526 8550, email fuelled4life@heartfoundation.org.nz or go to www.fuelled4life.org.nz