The outcome of this review is that, from Monday 10th April 2023, the recommended standard school meal prices will be as follows:
PRICE (per meal)
Nursery £1.90
Primary / Special £2.10
Adult Full Meal £3.40
Adult Meal Only £2.45
Adult Pudding Only £1.25
Individual schools do have discretion over the price of their lunchtime meals, but the majority of schools do adhere to this guide price, as a minimum, in order to keep pace with inflation.
The last couple of years have seen a minimum 25% increase in meal ingredient costs and 10% increase in labour costs, with the latter being mainly due to rises in the living wage. Yet despite these 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 lunch. This 10p meal price rise will benefit schools by:
- Increasing the paid meal income
- Reducing the net cost of the catering service
- Keeping down future contract charges / increases to schools
A further rise in October 2023 is also likely to be required in order to continue keeping pace with inflation. By taking these recommended small staggered changes, the burden to families struggling in the current climate will hopefully be minimised.
Where you intend to follow this recommendation, please could you inform parents in any Spring end of term communication you may make, 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. They will be in touch shortly to capture your individual responses relating to the price for meals that will apply as from 10/04/23
at your school.
If you require any further information or clarification, please contact me on 01274 431411.
NB: This 10p price increase recommendation applies to all schools. The vast majority of schools in the district currently charge £2.00 per meal. All schools who have their meal price currently set either lower or higher than this can of
course follow suit and apply an additional increase to either bring them in line or maintain their current margin however they see fit.