Guidance for caterers on out-of-hours food provision

The government, in consultation with school meals organisation LACA, has published guidance for caterers to ensure food served outside lunchtimes, such as at breakfast clubs and after school clubs, adheres to school food standards.

‘Guidance for Wrap Around Care: School Food Provision for Primary/Academies’ is aimed at schools in England as standards vary across the devolved nations of Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Acknowledging that more than one provider may be involved, It says: “To avoid the repetition of dishes or restricted food groups, it is essential that any provider, school contract caterer, in house school provider or volunteer group, liaise with the main food provider in the school to coordinate menus, ensuring a compliant, balanced menu across the whole school day.

“Foods served at breakfast and after-school clubs must not contain items restricted under the School Food Standards (e.g. confectionery, chocolate or chocolate-coated products, pastries, desserts, snacks, savoury crackers or breadsticks, no cakes or biscuits).

“When preparing weekly menus for a breakfast club or afterschool club, they will need to be checked against the main school food menu to limit the number of restricted items such as breaded products, deep-fried dishes and pastry items.”

And the guidance also makes clear that all settings should cater for children who require special diets - allergies, vegetarians vegans or religious diets.