Invitation to Tender for Catering Services

BCHS requires a school meals service provider that will serve our pupils healthy balanced meal options which are appealing and tasty. For our pupils to learn effectively, we believe that a healthy diet is of key importance. We seek adherence to the National School Food Standards as a minimum in the delivery of this service. The Government buying standards for food and catering in Appendix 1 will also be a requirement. The successful bidder will use high quality local produce, raw ingredients and local suppliers. These will be detailed and evidenced in the successful bidder's quality responses, by listing the suppliers and producers.

BCHS is seeking a partnership approach from a specialist school meals catering provider that will work with us to promote and encourage heathy eating, in a positive and enjoyable environment within the school.

The breakfast and lunches offered on the successful suppliers menu should be available to all children, ensuring that each child receives their preference. High standards of service, interaction with the children and kitchen management are expected at all times to provide a seamless service to the school.

We are seeking a provider that will continue to prepare and serve meals on site from our school kitchen.

1. Food and menu requirements

The successful contractor must procure all ingredients and foods required and ensure that the food used and provided meets government buying standards for food and catering (Appendix 1):

• nutritionally balanced
• healthy
• fresh
• locally produced
• sourced from ethical, accredited suppliers/producers
• seasonal
• cooked from scratch
• contains minimal use of frozen products
• produced as freshly as possible and that cooked items are only on display for a maximum of 45 minutes

The successful contractor must ensure that the menus are:

• compliant with National School Food Standards
• offering, on a daily basis:

o breakfast offering

o breaktime offering.

o Lunchtime offering - a main meal, a vegetarian meal, a jacket potato based meal, salad bar, 2 choices of vegetables, and a dessert option or fruit

• age appropriate
• child friendly
• appealing
• varied
• nut free
• clearly labelled with reference to the 14 allergens and comply with the latest food labelling laws in this regard

The successful contractor shall ensure that specialist dietary requirements are met. Notice will be given for the provision of such meals.

2. Service requirements

The successful contractor must ensure that the following service requirements are met:

• Food and catering in accordance with Appendix 1 Government Buying Standards for Food and Catering Services
• Improvements in the good eating habits of the school children are to be achieved and sustained
• Service should mirror the schools ethos and values
• Value for money shall be achieved, whilst maintaining excellent standards of service and quality of healthy food served. They provide a complete price and quality benchmarking exercise at Contract commencement and every 6 Months thereafter to validate and support proposed changes to pricing.
• The responsibility for employing sufficient numbers of kitchen staff to provide the service on a daily basis lies with the contractor
• Kitchen staff hold enhanced DBS clearance; have completed safeguarding training for which they hold certificates; and are trained in food hygiene, safe working practices, health and safety at work and good kitchen practices.
• A record should be maintained of all staff training and qualifications which should be provided to the school annually.
• Kitchen staff are trained in the presentation of food and positive communication with children
• Health and safety in the kitchen is the responsibility of the contractor
• The contractor shall provide the service in compliance with health, safety and hygiene standards, in accordance with the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990, the Food Hygiene (General) Regulations 1970 and the Food Hygiene (Amendment) Regulations 1990 (Part 9.2)
• BCHS's meal time assistants shall be responsible for the setting up and putting away of the dining area furniture prior to and at the end of lunch service.
• Termly management information is to be submitted to the school detailing:

o Cost of Sales as % Turnover

o Gross Profit %

o Operational wages as % of turnover

o Zero rated food purchases as % food turnover

o Packaging as % food sales

o Operational Profit as % turnover

o Overheads as % Turnover

o Net profit/(loss) before depreciation %

• Updates to menus shall be made available to parents/carers via liaison with the school office and school website.
• The successful contractor will provide marketing material for the school to use to promote the meals and service.
• Cleaning of the catering/kitchen area and equipment regularly to a high standard is the responsibility of the contractor. This should include and annual deep clean and regular maintenance of mechanical equipment such as extraction.
• The contractor will ensure that all kitchen equipment is serviced accordingly.
• Waste is minimised and recycled where possible, in compliance with the school's existing waste management arrangements. The successful contractor shall be responsible for clearing and removing litter generated in the provision of school lunches and shall pay the cost for the removal of such.
• Catering shall be provided to support the new entrants' reception and welcome event on an annual basis. This shall be provided free of charge, giving the contractor the opportunity to engage with new parents and increase uptake in school meals.
• Hospitality shall be provided for school meetings, hospitality and events. This shall be on an as ordered basis, at rates to be agreed when orders are placed.
• The following legislation, Approved Codes of Practise (ACoP) or similar industry or Government guidelines shall apply:

o Waste and Resources Action Programme's (WRAP) Hospitality and Food Service Voluntary Agreement;

o Governm…