Boredom to become a thing of the past for school meals - a different meal every day introduced by BAM FM as new school nutritional standards come into effect for English Schools
As new nutritional standards take effect this week, over 12,000 school children across 12 schools operated by Britain’s most successful education contractor, BAM FM, are set to have more choice than a Michelin three-star restaurant and enabling them to choose a different school meal every day of every term. The company believes it offers the most extensive choice in the UK.
BAM FM, which is the facilities management arm of BAM Construct UK, listed as the leading contractor in the health and education sectors, is responsible for catering in five secondary schools in Bristol, four middle and high schools in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, and three secondary schools in Crawley, East Sussex (all schools listed below). BAM FM’s Neil Porter, who is a former chef and the recent National Chair of the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA), says, ‘The idea behind a diverse menu is to combine choice for pupils that comply with the new nutritional standards, and is acceptable to our customers, who are the pupils themselves. ‘The secret for caterers is feedback from pupils and students and we regularly invite and receive this which helps to structure and prioritise our service to them. They tell us what they think about the food and choice we provide; they want shorter queuing time, more choice to keep their meals interesting, and they do request healthy options such as fresh fruit and pasta.’ Mr Porter says, 'BAM believes the nutritional standards will seriously challenge school caterers to strike a successful balance between providing the 14 micro nutrients required and meeting the expectations of pupils.' Examples of the healthy food on the new menu include classic dishes such as vegetable ragout, roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, lime and coconut cake, and gooey orange pudding and quick bites such as Greek lamb pitta bread. The extensive new menu will not cost the local authorities any more, BAM itself determines how to devise menus that meet the guidelines. ‘I am all in favour of good quality nutrition for our children but we need to ensure pupils stay in school during lunch breaks so the food must interest them. Evidence shows that successful lunchtime catering can reduce absenteeism, improve educational attainment overall resulting in benefits for a healthier balanced generation.' BAM Construct is bidding for major schools contracts in Coventry, Camden, and Somerset. After its sister construction company completes the new facilities, BAM FM operates services such as cleaning, catering, health and safety, leisure, energy and building maintenance on contracts usually lasting 25 or 30 years. The company was listed recently by the construction media as the UK’s leading education contractor and it was the most successful UK contractor for considerate construction in this years 2009 awards. The company believes that managing facilities within schools gives contractors a better understanding of how to design and construct them. BAM FM manages facilities in around 30 schools. E N D S The Schools involved: Worcester North Bromsgrove High School, South Bromsgrove High School, Alvechurch Middle and Crown Meadow First Schools, Parkside Middle and Meadow First Schools,
Crawley, East Sussex Ifield Community College, Thomas Bennett Community College, Oriel High School,
Bristol St Mary Redcliffe and Temple School, Oasis Academy Brightstowe, Henbury Secondary School, Bedminster Down Secondary School, Orchard School, Bristol
