Having first partnered with Oasis Community Learning over 12 years ago, Sodexo’s Food & Co has recently signed a three-year deal to continue providing breakfast, morning break and lunch to 28,000 Oasis pupils, as well as hospitality services.
The new contract, which starts in September 2023, will see the deployment of the company’s digital pre-ordering system, School Food United (SFU), at all Oasis academy schools in time for the 2023-24 academic year.
It has also partnered with Rethink Food’s Futures programme to provide Oasis academy pupils with learning opportunities with tower gardens. The soil-free gardens enable the children to grow fresh produce from seed to salad in 60 days using aeroponic technology, which is the process of growing plants in the air or mist environment without soil or an aggregate medium.
Compared to soil gardening, aeroponic technology has been shown to increase yields by as much as 30% and triple the speed of plant growth, while using only 10% of the water and space. According to Rethink Food, research shows that children who grow their own food are five times more likely to eat it.
Sodexo managing director, schools Steve Hawkins said: “We are delighted to continue our long-term partnership with Oasis Community Learning. Together we are committed to working together to ensure pupils enjoy tasty, nutritious school meals every day, and to help raise awareness of not only the importance of a well-balanced diet but how small changes can make a big difference on the impact food has on the planet, whether that is choosing a low-carbon meal or ensuring that food waste is kept to a minimum.
“We have enjoyed engaging Oasis pupils on sustainability issues over the last 12 years and with Elizabeth’s help we will continue to do this and support Oasis on its net zero journey as we too navigate ours.”
Oasis chief operating officer John Barneby said: “We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with Sodexo. We believe that having access to good, healthy food is important to help our students learn.
“We have been impressed by Sodexo’s passion for delivering sustainable and nutritious school meal options and are confident that together we can continue to encourage the uptake of school meals whilst educating the next generation about how a change in behaviour or diet can have a positive impact on the planet.”
