Established in 1998, the AiP group of companies including The Contract Dining Company and Class Catering Services joined Sodexo in December 2018.
AiP, which aims to deliver healthy and nutritious food, enhances the school dining experience for over 400 primary and secondary schools to help fuel children to learn. With a focus on sustainability, AiP’s menus utilise local suppliers, seasonal produce and wonky vegetables.
The new and retained contracts encompass 42 schools and include:
- Our Lady of the Magnificat MAC in Leamington Spa, expanding from six to 12 schools.
- Maritime Academy Trust in Kent and London, extending from five to 11 schools.
- Five schools within Holy Spirit MAC in Warwickshire.
- Seven schools within the Stour Vale Academy Trust in Dudley.
- Three schools within Every Child Every Day Academy Trust in London and Surrey.
- Three schools with Elements Diocesan Learning Trust in Dudley.
- The Excel Academy in Stoke-on-Trent.
AiP collaborates with expert nutritionists to create balanced, nourishing meals that exceed Government School Food Standards. Their ‘innovative’ approach includes chef-delivered sugar swap classes and initiatives to inspire healthy eating throughout the academic year.
Steve Hawkins, managing director for schools at Sodexo UK & Ireland, said: “The AiP team has built on last year's achievements and enjoyed an exceptional year. School meals play a crucial role in the school day, and we recognise the significance of providing children with tasty, nutritious lunches. AiP's robust partnerships with schools have grown significantly, and we are thrilled to see an increasing number of schools selecting AiP as their meal provider."
Sodexo's WasteWatch programme, implemented across all AiP contracts, helps manage kitchen waste by identifying efficiencies and making data-driven menu choices.