Schools and learning

The School Meal Service in Hertfordshire

We all want the best for the children in our lives, whether we are parents, carers or guardians. Healthier eating is especially important for children as they grow up and research has established that eating a great tasting, great value school lunch helps children to learn better. Research has also shown that behaviour and concentration levels overall improves in children who have a balanced meal at lunchtime.

All of Hertfordshire school meals offer a portion of both vegetables and fruit, making school lunches a great choice for you and your child.

Encouraging some children to eat healthier can be a challenge but the good news is that in Hertfordshire, every choice your child makes when choosing school lunch is a healthy choice, because we only serve the best possible food your money can buy!

In Hertfordshire:-
Most of the pork and beef used in our recipes for Primary Schools is supplied from a local farmer's consortium and wherever possible, we only use British produce. Our suppliers actively participate in food miles reduction so we're helping the environment too!

38 Somerset farmers supply all the milk needed to make the cheese we use and our apple juice is pressed from locally grown apples, so your child gets to experience some great tasting local produce.

The fish we cook in our Primary schools is caught from sustainable waters and is certified by the Marine Stewardship Council, this ensures that we are helping to reverse the decline in the world's fisheries. This is supported with classroom activity packs so children learn how helping the environment today can protect them in the future.

We do not use ingredients with artificial additives, colourings or preservatives wherever possible and do not knowingly use any food containing GM (Genetically Modified) ingredients.

We have adapted all our recipes to reduce sugar, salt and fat content so your child enjoys meals that are rich in vitamins and other nutrients essential for growth and development without the fat and other ingredients found in processed food.

All our new menus are designed to offer 2 or more of your child's recommended '5 a day' - making it easier for you to provide your child's full quota of just 5!

A bread basket is offered daily and could include a selection of wholemeal and flavoured breads to compliment your child's meal.

All of the school meals provided by Hertfordshire meet very strict nutritional standards so this guarantees that your child is provided with a healthy, tasty balanced meal everyday.

If you would like to discuss a specific issue around the service provided by Hertfordshire Catering, please contact Lin O'Brien, Head of Hertfordshire Catering at lin.obrien@hertscc.gov.uk