Press Releases

September 2007

SCHOOL MEAL PROVIDERS GEAR UP FOR WELSH NUTRIENT STANDARDS

                                     
 
School meal providers across Wales are gearing up to improve the nutritional levels of school meals  by using a state-of-the-art nutritional analysis system.
 
Using grant funding from the Welsh Assembly Government, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), the umbrella body for the local authorities, has awarded a contract to Fretwell-Downing Hospitality to supply its web-based system, Saffron Nutrition to all meal providers in maintained schools in Wales.
 
With Saffron Nutrition, users which includes 22 local authorities and contract caterers operating in maintained schools in Wales, will each have online access to the system through a password-protected site. They will then be able to input and benchmark their menus against the proposed standards and plan ahead more accurately.
 
Saffron Nutrition’s web service is centrally hosted and managed by Fretwell-Downing Hospitality. This eases the burden on users having to maintain the system themselves.
 
Appetite for Life, recommended the average daily nutrient intake that menus should supply for lunches over a one week period for children in primary and secondary schools.
 
Comment from WGLA ”This is the first time we have used a nutritional analysis service that will enable our providers to make informed decisions about whether menu items are nutritionally balanced and make the necessary ingredient adjustments.
 
Education Minister Jane Hutt said: “Many local authorities and schools in Wales are already offering healthier school food and adopting effective approaches to encourage pupils to make healthier choices.  We encourage Local Authorities to work in partnership with others to share good practice.  Stakeholder conferences are planned for 22 November and 6 December and the focus will be on sharing experiences to help support schools and caterers in improving the nutritional standards of food and drink provided in schools in Wales. ”
 
Andrew Markwell, sales director for Fretwell-Downing Hospitality commented: “We are delighted to have been awarded this contract, our largest individual contract for Saffron Nutrition. With 80 local authorities across England and Wales now using our ‘virtual dietician’ service, it is proving to be a significant tool in meeting the new, and more stringent, school meal standards.”

Press Releases Home

Fretwell Downing Hospitality
Brincliffe House
861 Ecclesall Road
Sheffield
S11 7AE