SHROPSHIRE Council’s catering and cleaning team, is celebrating after winning a prestigious award for their work encouraging healthy eating in primary schools.
The Shire Services team came top in the Public Sector Catering Awards 2024 in the marketing award category.
Shire Services provides catering services to more than 40,000 children and young people in schools.
Their marketing strategy features a marketing ‘pick and mix’ planner for primary schools to use to increase income and customer engagement.
They also introduced activities using a brand-new mascot, Sammy the Sweetcorn Cob, and engaged with parents and pupils through cooking clubs and gardening activities.
Parents were invited into schools to dine with their child in an initiative called “Come Dine With Me”, to experience the quality of school meals for themselves.
In total there are 21 initiatives that primary schools can use to increase engagement and ultimately increase income, reducing the need for a subsidised catering service within schools.
Susan Vuli, general manager of Shire Services, said: “We are thrilled to have won this award.
“To be recognised by catering industry leaders for our work within schools to improve the lunchtime experience of thousands of children daily is exceptional."
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