Harrison wins £4m school meals contract

Tuesday 14 August 2007

Harrison wins £4m school meals contract

The London Borough of Bexley has appointed Harrison Catering to provide meals in 55 of its primary and special schools from September 2007.

Harrison won the contract worth £4 million over three years, by demonstrating how it will work in partnership with the Borough's schools, head teachers and parents to provide better school meals. The contract was previously run by Initial.

"The reputation of school dinners has suffered recently and media coverage has highlighted the poor quality of some of the food on offer" says Cabinet Member for Schools, Adult Education and Youth Services, Cllr Simon Windle. "We were determined to provide Bexley's children with a good range of healthy meals during their school day."

"We know that healthy eating can have a positive effect on behaviour and concentration levels. I hope that parents and carers will try out the new service and see the big difference the new caterers will make. Everyone can rest assured that if their children have school dinners, they will be getting a well balanced, healthy meal, chosen from an entirely new menu."

The London Borough of Bexley is Harrison's fifth LEA contract win in the last five years. Harrison has a proven track record including LEA and individual state and independent education, this new contract means that catering at 380 primary and secondary schools throughout England is now managed by them. In addition, Harrison has a large breadth of experience across business and industry, including seven sites nationally for Carphone Warehouse group an three for Ericisson.

“We’re delighted that Bexley Council has chosen us to work with them” says Geoffrey Harrison, Managing Director of Harrison Catering. “We share their commitment to service and an uncomplicated approach to improving standards, starting with reducing reliance on convenience foods and increasing fresh products. I would urge the parents and carers of all children to encourage them to try out our new menus for themselves. I’m sure that the children will notice a real difference in the quality of the food served”

Harrison is committed to communicating with parents on a regular basis through information leaflets and menus and will also send parents invitations to meet with them at schools or to visit them at the Harrison office based in the Borough.

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