Laura Smith says review of catering services in local schools 'vital' to help families
School dinners are the only hot meals some children and staff get so Cheshire East Council's review of its catering service is vital - a former Crewe MP has said.
The council is employing experts to review the service which provides meals for 92 schools across the borough. - after it made a loss of more than £95,000 in 2021-22.
A report to Monday's (July 11) meeting of the children's and families committee, said there were several reasons for this.
It included academies using alternative providers, increasing staff and food costs and the pandemic.
Crewe South Labour councillor, Laura Smith, said: "There are children who are going to bed very hungry. It was reported in the news just last week that the school meal is the only hot meal some children are having.
"Shockingly, it's the only hot meal that some of the adults working in the schools are having, so this is vital that we have this review and we're making sure it's quality food."
She said procurement is key and the council should be looking at local food providers and not big companies.
With regard to staff vacancies, she said: "The reason for that I would imagine is pay, terms and conditions."
Cllr Smith and fellow Crewe councillor Sally Handley (Labour), both raised concerns about academies not using Cheshire East Catering Services.
Director of education Jacky Forster said all these things were being looked at as part of the review.
"We need to make sure that it's [catering service] flexible and fit for purpose and meets the needs of our families who are struggling," said Mrs Forster.
She added: "We are confident our school catering service uses quality ingredients.
"That's part of our issue, because some of the competitor organisations don't have those high quality marks and therefore can deliver cheaper meals. We do use high quality food."
Mrs Forster said much of the food comes from local businesses and 'all of our food from Cheshire East Catering is cooked daily in schools'.
She said for small schools, food was usually cooked at larger schools nearby and then transported.
With regard to academies, the education boss said Cheshire East needed to ensure its catering service is competitive in terms of cost and quality but said some academies had come back to using it.
Cllr June Buckley (Alsager, Liberal Democrat), said consideration needed to be given to where the food comes from.
"I think food miles should be coming into it and it's possible these schools that aren't buying from us should be asked to consider not just the price of the food but the price to the environment," said Cllr Buckley.
Councillors welcomed the review and a report on the findings is due to be presented to be January meeting of the committee.
(Ryan Parker and Matt Simpson, Local Democracy Reporting Service)
READ MORE: Crewe householder to open up flowery garden to public - raising money for charity.
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