By Angela Green: School and caterer create multi-generational community dining.
Catering News is sponsored by Two Services
A thriving working relationship between a London-based school and a catering company has led to a series of events to sustain and support the school community.
Ark King Solomon Academy and Accent Catering have collaborated to provide a community meal in the school dining hall for students at the school and their parents, guardians and grandparents over seven Monday evenings since January. Up to 100 people have attended each event to date, and more are planned for the future.
The school-based community meals are part of CanTeam, an initiative under Future Foundations, to transform school canteens into vibrant community hubs that improve educational and nutritional outcomes for young people and their families by supporting schools to offer an after-school food programme.
CanTeam’s goal is to create a sustainable solution to food insecurity, encourage healthy eating, and enable young people to learn and thrive.
Ark King Solomon Academy was the fourth school in the UK to get involved in the CanTeam initiative. It is part of Ark Schools, a network of 39 academies in Birmingham, Hastings, London and Portsmouth. The school is strongly supported by Accent Catering, its on-site catering company, which caters for over 1,300 pupils/students and 80 teaching staff across the school’s two sites in Crompton St (W2) and Penfold Street (NW1).
Thanks to funding from the Raheem Sterling Foundation and the Reuben Foundation, as well as a grant from Big Change Education Challenge, these meals have been delivered at no cost to the school, at a time when school budgets are squeezed and families are struggling to pay for food.
Ian Harman, Operations Manager for Accent Catering, said:” We are delighted to support this initiative and to provide our food and labour at minimal cost. Our chefs and I give our time each Monday evening on a voluntary basis, and we have liaised with our suppliers to secure a large amount of donated ingredients.
“Sixth Formers help with setting up the dining hall, laying tables, welcoming guests and engaging in fun games and activities with the children. It’s a great learning experience for them also – and fun for our young guests.”
The Accent Catering team provides two nutritious hot dishes, served buffet style, with a range of accompanying healthy salads and desserts such as fruit platters and reduced sugar cakes.
The uptake has been heartening, as Ian explained: “It is fantastic to see so many happy, smiling faces and to see old and young gathering over good food to chat. Word of mouth has played its part and we have seen the dining hall filled to capacity each Monday evening. It’s why I go to work. I absolutely love how a simple idea can enhance a school community and bring benefits to many.”
Jayne Day, Operation Director, Accent Catering said: “The support we have received from our suppliers, the school and from Accent Catering has ensured the success of this project. Credit must go to Ian Harman and to all the on-site team who have embraced this initiative wholeheartedly. It is a real team effort, and I am so proud of their achievements to date.”
Jonathan Harper, CEO of Future Foundations, established the CanTeam initiative, which went on to win the Big Change’s first ever Big Education Challenge last year. Aware of the many additional challenges facing families in today’s economy, his vision is to transform school canteens into vibrant community hubs.
He said: “Too many young people and families are not able to access affordable and nutritious food, and with the support of Big Change we have been able to pilot at scale. As a father of three, I am witness to the daily struggles families face.
“Our goal is to promote sustainable eating practices that reduce food waste, food hunger, fuel bills, plastic consumption and food miles while improving educational outcomes, health and wellbeing.
Our approach can revolutionise the way our young people eat and create more sustainable and equitable communities.”
Gabby Woolf, Vice-Principal (Operations) of Ark King Solomon Academy, said: “We are grateful for the support we’ve received to run these CanTeam events at Ark King Solomon Academy. Schools are uniquely positioned to bring communities together and our families have shared how much they have enjoyed socialising over a delicious meal. Thank you to the Accent Catering team for their enthusiasm for this project as it has made all the difference.”
Catering News is sponsored by Two Services
