School Catering Team Shortlisted at Leading Local Government Awards
We’re happy to announce that our Schools Catering Team has been shortlisted for an MJ award!
What are the MJ Awards?
The MJ Awards are competitive national awards that recognise excellence and innovation in council services.
The School Catering Team numbers over 900 staff and provides over 36,000 meals per day to primary and secondary schools in Kirklees.
The award is in the Best Council Services category. The team has driven inclusion and reduced environmental impact during the pandemic.
Working with pupils, parents and school staff, the team redesigned the school dining experience. They developed a food court concept in high schools and enhanced menus for primary school pupils.
Inclusion was a key component of this redesign. Pupils on free school meals have access to all menus at no additional cost.
The team has created a more inclusive environment. They have worked closely with schools to adapt meals to meet the needs of local communities.
They also reduced food waste, packaging and single-use items. This contributes significantly to our objective to tackle the climate emergency.
Colin Parr, Strategic Director for Environment & Climate Change, said:
“The School Catering Team’s work is crucial to help create an environment beneficial to pupils’ educational achievements.
“Inclusion, tackling the climate emergency, and giving children and teenagers the best possible educational experience are key objectives for the council.
“I’m proud that the team has been recognised by the MJ Awards. The team have maintained the provision of school meals during challenging pandemic times. They’ve also helped schools reduce their environmental impact and create a more inclusive dining experience.”