Sharwood’s, one of the ‘Power Brands’ from LACA Partner Premier Foods, has been introduced through the supplier's Foodservice Division, into a new high school in The London Borough of Barking & Dagenham.
Mark Taylor, foodservice customer controller at Premier Foods, said he was contacted by Vista Foodservice, on behalf of the London borough, to help with a new ‘food court’ concept being introduced into a brand new High School in Dagenham.
Vista wanted to move away from a traditional ‘school meals’ service, into a more commercial operation in a bid to increase the uptake of meals and keep the students ‘on-site’.
Taylor said: "We were delighted to be asked to help the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, especially with Sharwood’s, being one of our Power Brands.
"Not only will this drive incremental volume sales for us, but exposure to the Sharwood’s brand will also increase awareness and potential sales within the retail sector as the students will want the same dishes they had for their lunch, at home."
Following the launch day in September Carole Coulthard, area manager of catering services for the borough said: “This is exactly what we wanted from Sharwood’s; a really strong retail brand presence working for us in Dagenham Park School, driving an uptake in the meals served, but giving the students the food they have at home, in our food court and therefore keeping them in the school and not leaving to find unhealthy lunch options locally.
"Initial feedback is that sales of the sauceand noodle concept are currently exceeding expectations, so watch this space.”
The launch day was facilitated by Chung Yin Liu; Sharwood’s development chef and Janet Pontefract, foodservice home economist, who worked closely with the catering staff at Dagenham Park School to ensure the initial morning break and lunch services went smoothly.
Taylor added: "Chung provided some 'theatre-style’ excitement and it was also really encouraging to see the queues for the Sharwood’s meals were much busier than any of the other food offerings."