Ahead of NSMW, which is organised by the Local Authority Caterers’ Association (LACA), the contractor sent 200,000 surveys home with school children in 12 local authorities.
Drawing on a similar Chartwells’ study of parent satisfaction last year, topics include children’s eating behaviours at home and at school, why their children like or dislike school meals and their opinion of the quality, taste, choice and value of meals provided.
As an incentive, at 1,250 schools where Chartwells operates, children who return completed surveys will be rewarded with treats during NSMW, including free school meals, Bonfire Night themed lunches and special menus featuring their favourite meals.
In partnership with Chartwells, a number of local authorities also plan to use the week to raise awareness of international charity Mary’s Meals, supporting Chartwells’ ethical initiative to feed over 3,000 children a year at Chimvu and Goliati primary schools in Malawi, Africa.
Chartwells employee Alison Gann, who is the LACA School Chef of the Year 2012, will be helping launch National School Meals Week celebrations at Bishop Challoner Catholic Collegiate School in Tower Hamlets, London on Monday (November 5).
She will be cooking and serving her winning menu before staging cookery demonstrations for pupils at the school.
Robin Mills, managing director of Chartwells said: “National School Meals Week is a great platform to encourage more students to enjoy school meals and LACA has lined up some fantastic themes and activities this year.
“This week also provides us with the perfect opportunity to ask thousands of parents about the food we serve their children, enabling us to evolve our offer and develop new concepts in line with student’s needs.”
Chartwells currently serves 350,000 meals each week to children across its local authority school contracts.