Chartwells and the £30 meal pack

When packed lunches for free meals were delivered to my last school, before every school had to provide hot meals, I remember being amazed at the amount and value of food they provided for the cost, which was the lowest tendered.
I don't know which firm supplied them, but they were very good value, the children liked them, and they never missed a delivery, even in deep snow.

Where did you hear about this misuse Missfoodlove ? I have heard that misuse had been suggested but have never seen actual evidence for it.

Even the most ardent supporter of this government, even those who are of the less tolerant view about free school meals while children are at home, have to acknowledge that we, as taxpayers have been royally ripped off by this company.

The alleged misuse of the voucher scheme came from a conservative MP and was widely condemned by the school he mentioned and other locals. The vouchers do not allow for the purchase of alcohol or cigarettes. People who have almost no money are very adept at buying food. Perhaps another example of the government shoving money at friends and Tory donors as the head of chartwell appears to be. It is good that it is being changed but it shouldn't take complaints on social media to do it.

Yes, Urmston, in that respect. The children's welfare department within the local council have been given a free hand with their spending, which is usually backed by Government but I have a feeling it'll all come to a sticky end because of overspending in that area.

FarNorth

"delegated decisions to local staff" - what does that mean?

Catering staff who have supplies for (seemingly useless) school meals, being expected to use those for 'lunch packs' instead?

That's what it looks like.

Schools themselves are responsible for providing meals. Many schools, especially small primary schools, outsourced the provision to companies such as Chartwells, especially after all infants were given free school meals.

Companies such as Chartwells employ staff at a local level. There are undoubtedly company guidelines as to what should go in these "boxes", just as there are for all school meals. However, it's the people at local level who make the ultimate decisions.

Catering staff couldn't use the same ingredients they use for cooked meals because they have been told to supply ingredients which require minimum cold storage because some people don't have a fridge or freezer.

They're not allowed to provide take away cooked meals for health and safety reasons.

EV as you know I’m so glad your family are delighted.
I didn’t mean in any way a personal jibe as you know - I just wanted to illustrate it’s not all gloom and doom out there!
?

Missfoodlove

Sadly it was due to the voucher scheme being abused that resulted in companies like Compass/Chartwells getting the contract.
It would be better idea if local restaurants were to provide and distribute the food.

Do you have evidence of this "abuse"?

EllanVannin

Yes, Urmston, in that respect. The children's welfare department within the local council have been given a free hand with their spending, which is usually backed by Government but I have a feeling it'll all come to a sticky end because of overspending in that area.

I'm not sure what you mean. Councils don't make decisions about free school meals. They are responsible for providing finance for free school meals, but schools (or academy chains) are responsible for what they do with the money. Some outsource and some (mainly bigger comprehensives) have set up companies to do their own catering.

Some places get it right.

Missfoodlove

Sadly it was due to the voucher scheme being abused that resulted in companies like Compass/Chartwells getting the contract.
It would be better idea if local restaurants were to provide and distribute the food.

Missfoodlove please explain how the voucher scheme was abused?
That aside, the company chosen by the government to administer the voucher scheme is French. They are the same ones who cocked it up in the first lock-down.