Council-operated Big Fresh catering company goes from strength to strength
The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s Big Fresh Catering Company has achieved impressive results for two years in a row as a Local Authority Trading Company.
An innovative business model means that the company, which provides food for schools and events, can operate as a commercial entity, with all profits going to schools and the business itself.
Following another successful year, Big Fresh has managed to generate a significant surplus, and just like last year, will be reinvesting this back into schools and our local communities.
As a result, every one of the Vale’s Big Fresh schools will receive a grant of £5,000 this year to support their schools and pupils.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Vale of Glamorgan Council Cabinet member for Education and Regeneration, said:
“This ground-breaking scheme, which we believe to be the first of its kind operated by a Local Authority is a fantastic example of how local authorities can use a creative approach to deliver successful projects for the community.
“The company will soon be announcing details of its growing community benefits scheme, building on a number of successful school-based projects last year, and sponsorship of community groups.
“Every customer that visits the café or bar at the Penarth Pier Pavilion, buys school dinners, or uses any of the other Big Fresh services is investing directly in local schools, allowing them to offer pupils more in the form of better school meals and other benefits.
“The benefits both schoolchildren and the wider community receive from this project are vast. Big Fresh is currently working with schools on projects such as outdoor dining areas, wellbeing initiatives, and new learning programmes in schools. As well as this the company sponsors local football teams and drama clubs. This couldn’t have been achieved without the support received from its board of directors, both past and present.”
Carole Tyley, Managing Director of the Big Fresh Catering Company, said:
“Frontline catering staff in all Vale schools continue to be critical in building Big Fresh Catering and making the venture a success with our schools and the Council.
“Staff have worked tirelessly to feed pupils during the academic school year and supporting families over holiday periods.
“I’m so proud of our achievements during the last two years and am delighted to once again provide schools with a share of our surpluses.
“Big Fresh is establishing a reserve which will be used to off-set the increasing food costs from the war in Ukraine, meaning families and schools will be shielded from suppliers’ price increases.
“Big Fresh is also proud to be supporting the Council’s Miles for Ukraine programme and will be pledging £2000 on behalf of its 173 staff, who will be clocking up their miles as part of their service delivery in school kitchens.”
The company is working hard in partnership with the Council and its schools to prepare kitchens for the rollout of universal free school meals, with our youngest learners in primary education set to benefit from the first phase of the rollout in September 2022.
Since its establishment, the Big Fresh Catering Company has created allergen-free menus, increased vegan and vegetarian options, with more meals made from scratch and all meeting Welsh Government nutritional standards.
For more information, head to Bigfreshcatering.co.uk, email hello@bigfreshcatering.co.uk or search The Big Fresh Catering Company on Facebook.