Services is a local authority school meals provider, as well as delivering a catering service to nurseries, care homes, and further education colleges in Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, North Wales and the West Midlands.
Public Sector Catering: Outline how the catering service works across the schools you serve.
Susan Vuli: We offer a wide range of catering, training, and compliance services to various educational institutions, including nurseries, primary schools, secondary schools, dining centres, further education colleges, and care homes. Our dedicated catering teams work within each school to provide nutritious meals to students, ensuring a seamless and efficient service.
PSC: Can you give us a few figures that give a snapshot of the catering operation?
SV: We serve approximately 15,500 primary meals and 6,200 secondary meals daily, employing a team of 576 catering staff. In addition to feeding students, we also provide meals for teaching and support staff, ensuring everyone in the school community is well-nourished.
PSC: Are menus standardised across the portfolio, and how much fresh food is used?
SV: Our menus are not standardised; instead, we take a flexible approach to cater to the diverse needs of our clients. We prioritise using local suppliers whenever possible, including partnerships with companies like McCain that support local farmers. This approach allows us to offer a variety of menus while promoting sustainability.
PSC: Tell us about your approach to staff training and development.
SV: We employ a mixed approach, combining face-to-face classroom-style sessions, hands-on kitchen training, and online courses. Additionally, we offer a range of apprenticeships to support the growth and development of our team members.
PSC: How has the service developed over the last five years?
SV: We have adapted to rising food and labour costs, as well as the increasing expectations from our clients. As a local authority provider, we prioritise food quality and have streamlined our procurement channels. Despite the competitive market, we continue to offer exceptional service and have been recognised within the industry, winning several awards and being shortlisted for others.
Following our success at the Public Sector Catering Awards in 2024, we were thrilled to win the CCA People Development Award 2025, and also the Groups category at the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) Excellence in School Food Awards 2025.
This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. As the only local authority provider present, this is a significant achievement for us.
PSC: Has there been a strategic plan?
SV: Yes, we have a comprehensive business plan that includes streamlining operations and bringing more marketing in-house. Our marketing planner is designed to be flexible, allowing schools to pick and choose the marketing initiatives that best suit their specific needs and timing. This ensures that each school receives tailored support that aligns with their unique circumstances and has led to a remarkable 19% increase in meal income.
PSC: Can you tell us how you develop your menus?
SV: We actively engage with pupils to gather feedback through live lunch votes, questionnaires, and ‘rate my lunch’ activities. We also trial and taste new products in schools to ensure they meet our standards. Our robust allergen policy ensures that all special dietary needs are managed effectively.
PSC Does Shire serve breakfast at any sites at the moment?
SV: Yes, we serve breakfast at several sites, with logistics varying from location to location.
PSC: The Government is preparing to roll out a schools breakfast service in England, how are you preparing?
SV: We are prepared to support schools in implementing this initiative by tailoring our menus and offering bespoke meal options to cater to all tastes, allergens, and cultural preferences.
PSC: The difference between what the Government pays and the cost of free school meals is growing. How do you manage?
SV: Managing this disparity is challenging. We continuously review menu items, negotiate with suppliers, and adjust our product mix to ensure we provide the best value while maintaining the quality of our food.
PSC: Food price inflation continues to be a significant challenge. How has it affected you?
SV: Despite the challenges, we remain committed to meeting School Food Standards. This requires careful planning and adjustments, but we are dedicated to maintaining high-quality meals for our clients.
PSC: Staff recruitment and retention is an industry-wide problem. How do you approach it?
SV: We take a proactive approach to recruitment and retention, utilising area teams and agencies to provide support where needed. The Covid-19 pandemic has made recruitment more difficult, but we continue to adapt to changing expectations and work environments.
PSC: Can you tell us about the plans and aspirations for Shire Services?
SV: Our goal is to support schools in providing healthy, nutritious hot meals that meet government guidelines and parents’ expectations. We are committed to delivering caring, experienced, and high-quality service to all our clients.