Plant-based catering (for schools and sports clubs)

Forest Green Kitchen

If you’re looking for plant-based caterers, there are many these days around. From children’s school meals to football crowds to corporate office events or party celebrations.

Forest Green Kitchen offers plant-based foods for schools, caterers (including hospitals) and football clubs (the company was founded by the owner of England’s first vegan football club!)

Made in Gloucestershire, the food is free from all major food allergens (and soy) and sold in compostable and recyclable packs. And contains no air-freighted ingredients. Offerings are all high in protein and include:

  • Shiitake mushroom burgers
  • Jamaican jerk burgers
  • Spicy vegan balls

It’s far simpler to just offer good tasty plant-based food for everyone, as it covers all the bases, without having to cook different food for different people:

  • It’s suitable for vegans and vegetarians
  • It’s good to avoid egg/milk allergies
  • Respects religious beliefs (Jews and Muslims can eat most vegan food)
  • It’s cholesterol-free and animal-kind
  • It’s good for the planet
  • It’s often cheaper than free-range meats and dairy

Read info by dietitians on food allergens (they say the top 8 allergens of milk, eggs, soy, shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts and wheat account for around 90% of all allergens, the others being mustard or sesame seeds).

Read up on food safety for people and pets. For tinned ingredients, rinse/remove lids (or pop ring-pulls over holes) then step on upper cans to pinch rims together, to stop wildlife getting trapped. 

Unless you have food waste bins, just bin pepper and allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallot, chives), citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps. To avoid acids harming compost creatures.

Choking hazards to avoid 

Choking hazards should be avoided for children and people with swallowing difficulties (and allergies). Also keep small toys off the kitchen floor where toddlers and pets could find them.

Learn how to help someone who is choking. Foods to avoid include:

  • Nuts, Seeds & Nut/Seed Butters (avoid for under 5)
  • Chia seeds (soak in liquid first, if used)
  • Dry Bread, Crackers & Croutons
  • Crumbly Foods (pies & biscuits)
  • Peas, Grapes, Cherry Tomatoes, Cherries (even sliced)
  • Carrot Sticks
  • Sausages (slice lengthwise & again, for older children)
  • Foods with Seeds (raspberries etc)
  • Boiled Sweets
  • Sticky Foods (some cheese, marshmallow, mochi)
  • Tough Foods (steak, bacon, skin/bone/gristle)
  • Stringy Foods ((beans, rhubarb)
  • Floppy Foods (lettuce, cucumber, spinach)
  • Chia seeds (mix with water first, if using for others)

Are school dinners any better these days?

The average UK school dinner costs around £2 to £3, and must adhere to strict nutritional standards, ensuring fresh fruits and vegetables, and all the major nutrients.

If you are on a low income, you can apply for free school meals.

Water and/or milk must be available at every meal. Some parents vegan children (and those with allergies or religious beliefs) want NHS Healthy Start Vouchers (for low incomes) to offer dairy-free milk and vegan vitamin D supplements (as well as fresh produce), as many African-American children  are lactose-intolerant.

Free breakfasts for children on low incomes

Schools can apply to Magic Breakfast Club, which has been serving free school breakfasts for over 20 years. These are pretty healthy and tend to be made with easy-to-store and freeze ingredients like cereals, porridge, bagels and baked beans, along with fresh juice. All menus comply with school nutrition standards.

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