Education catering professionals, nutrition experts, suppliers and school food leaders came together at Parts Town UK in Cannock for a roundtable event hosted by Rational, focused on the future of school food provision.
The discussion explored the opportunities and challenges presented by the government's newly announced School Food Standards, bringing together representatives from local authorities, academy trusts, caterers, suppliers and industry specialists.
Key topics included maintaining meal uptake, encouraging healthier choices, the importance of education and engagement, and how schools can successfully implement the updated standards while continuing to deliver appealing meals for pupils.
Delegates highlighted the need for collaboration across the sector, with schools, caterers, parents, suppliers and policymakers all playing a role in supporting successful implementation.
The event also examined how innovation and kitchen technology can help education caterers improve efficiency, reduce waste and deliver nutritious meals consistently within operational and budget constraints. Attendees were later given a live cooking demonstration from Rational Expert Chef Holly Charnock, showcasing practical approaches to producing high-quality school meals at scale.
