Practical Guide for School Canteen Success | Angel Bay AU

Written by Angel Bay Australia | 19 March 2024

Written by Chef Liam

Our school canteens go beyond being places for a quick bite—they're the lifeblood of a school, dedicated to nourishing both bodies and minds. As we gear up for 2024 and kick off Term 1, we're on a mission to help improve the effectiveness of your school canteen.

This practical guide is tailored for the upcoming year, aimed at creating not just a canteen but a thriving community hub that fosters health and well-being for your students while also ensuring financial success. The goal is to strike the perfect balance—offering nutritious options that are a hit with students while turning a profit to sustain the canteen's growth and impact.

When improving or implementing a successful school canteen program, focus on the following key elements:

Student Needs and Preferences: Understand the needs and backgrounds of the students, taking into account the diverse preferences of your target audience. This includes considering dietary restrictions such as vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free options.
Seasonal and Local Ingredients: Factor in the season and temperature, emphasizing the use of fresh, local and seasonal ingredients whenever feasible.
Facility Size and Preparation: Assess the school’s food preparation, storage facilities and the size of the school.
Team Dynamics: Evaluate the number of people involved in the school food service and how they work together on a day-to-day basis.
Profitable Products: Conduct a review of historical best-selling products to make sure they still remain profitable after price increases and inflation.

In the broader context of any business, including school food services, additional considerations come into play:

Train your kitchen staff on safe food handling and preparation methods.
Emphasize portion control to minimize food waste. Consider waste reduction practices, such as composting or recycling as part of school programs that get the whole community involved. This will foster a sense of shared responsibility for health and sustainability.
Encourage creativity in cooking methods to make healthy food exciting.
Implement educational programs that inform students about the importance of a balanced diet and sustainable food choices.
Promote awareness of where food comes from and how it affects the environment.
Aim to reduce food waste by utilising foods such as Angel Bay which can be cooked as needed, and preparing ingredients efficiently.
Consider eco-friendly packaging and avoid the use of single-use plastics.

Remember that achieving a healthy and sustainable school canteen food service business takes time and effort, but it can have a positive impact on the well-being of students and the school community. Taking the time to review your practices and processes ahead of Term 1 will set you up for a successful year ahead.

Check out this month's schoolyard sandwich sub recipe featuring BBQ Angel Bay Meatballs and tangy coleslaw—a popular, easily scalable dish perfect for the recess and lunchtime rush.

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