An important ingredient in Sodexo’s Food & Co offer for schools is the recruitment of ‘Agents for Change’ at each individual school. The Agents are the ‘crucial link’ between Sodexo and its customers, providing valuable feedback on the menus and schools meals service throughout the academic year.
Teams of around 12 Agents in each academy were tasked with helping Sodexo transform their school dining hall.
Rosemary Molinari, marketing manager for schools at Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “In developing Food & Co, we conducted research with Key Stage 2 to 4 pupils, which showed us that pupils respond positively to environments that are cool and fun. Pupils want lunchtime to be relaxed and a break away from the classroom.
“We know that involving pupils in a makeover helps transform the relationship between them and their eating space, because they take ownership of the dining room – it becomes theirs, they respect it and want to eat there and ultimately helps create a positive and enjoyable link with school meals.”
The makeover programme across the Oasis Academy portfolio was fully funded by Sodexo and it aimed to help encourage more children to enjoy a healthy school meal.
Glen Lillo, principal at Oasis Academy Ryelands, added: “We are thrilled with the bright and welcoming design that our pupils and Sodexo chose. At Oasis we are committed to the academic achievement of our pupils and we know the importance a healthy nutritious school lunch provides in helping to boost learning outcomes.”
Sodexo has been the school catering partner to Oasis Academies since 2010. Initially providing catering for three schools before extending its contract in 2014 to include the majority of Oasis Academies across the country.