School caterers in England and Wales ‘facing a precipice’ as costs rise

Survey finds caterers changing their menus and cutting back on choice because of supply issues

Some schools are substituting lentils and beans for meat while others are cutting pupils’ portion sizes because of rising costs, food shortages and problematic supply chains, according to caterers, who say they are “facing a precipice”.

In a survey by LACA – the School Food People, which represents caterers in England and Wales, 77% of respondents said they had changed their menus because of supply issues, while 26% had cut back on choice.