The outcome of this review is that, from Monday 30th October 2023, the minimum standard school meal prices will be as follows:
PRICE (per meal)
Nursery £2.00
Primary / Special £2.20
Adult Full Meal £3.50
Adult Meal Only £2.50
Adult Pudding Only £1.30
The last couple of years have seen a minimum 25% increase in meal ingredient costs and at least a 10% increase in labour costs, with the latter being mainly due to rises in the living wage. Yet despite these huge inflationary pressures, FM Catering have
continued to minimise their impact by improving our efficiency and maintaining high meal uptake levels.
School meal prices in the Bradford district still remain amongst the lowest in the country and are excellent value for money for a nutritionally balanced 2 course set lunch. As you are no doubt aware, the Universal Infant Free School Meal government funding
rate has recently increased by 12p to assist with the above pressures catering services are facing. This 10p paid meal price rise will benefit schools by:
- Increasing the paid meal income
- Reducing the net cost of the catering service
- Helping to keep down future contract charges / increases to schools
A further rise in April 2024 is also likely to be required in order to continue keeping pace with inflation. By taking these recommended small staggered approaches in line with the school menu changes, the burden to families struggling in the current climate
will hopefully be minimised.
Please could you inform parents of this increase and include, if possible, details of the Benefits Service (01274 432771/2/3) to help ensure that those who qualify for free meal entitlement will take up that option.
Your school kitchen Chef Manager has been sent an electronic survey via their tablet that needs to be completed by all sites in order to acknowledge you are aware of this pending increase and in turn will communicate it with parents.
If you require any further information or clarification, please contact Craig Webb on 01274 431411.
NB: This price increase will bring all FM Catering schools up to the new minimum standard £2.20 per pupil meal price (£2.00 in Nursery schools). The vast majority of primary schools in the district currently charge £2.10 per pupil meal.
All schools who have their meal price currently set higher than this can of course follow suit and apply an additional increase to maintain their current margin if they see fit. This can be communicated through the kitchen survey.