Last week the Government published new minimum nutrition standards forfood, which all schools must meet from September 2006. But some localauthorities are struggling to find contractors to provide healthier foodbecause of fears the service won't be sustainable.
"In the short term it's looking pretty dire," said Kevin McKay, nationalchair of the Local Authority Caterers Association. "There are relativelyfew contractors applying as the costs of achieving the new standards setagainst falling numbers of children eating the food means the service isnot viable."
Bracknell Forest Borough Council received no bids in a recent tenderingexercise for its school meals service. Chris Taylor, contracts managerfor the school meals services at the council, said: "A risk thecontractors saw was the jump to new standards."
And Sheffield City Council received one bid for its school meals servicewhen five years ago it got three. Sallie Swann, a senior manager in thecouncil's children and young people's directorate, said: "Contractorsare concerned because the specification for the new school meal serviceis very prescriptive. This requires investment and contractors areconcerned that local authorities don't have sufficient resources."
Bracknell Forest is now negotiating with contractors. Inserting arisk-sharing clause in the contract so the council pays a fine if thenumber of school meals falls below an agreed level is one option underconsideration.
From September, school meals must be free from low-quality meatproducts, fizzy drinks, crisps and chocolate. Vending machines will haveto be stocked with healthy snacks and drinks.
The Local Authority Caterers Association reports that the number ofmeals served in schools has declined by 12.5 per cent since lastyear.
- www.teachernet.gov.uk/healthyliving.
