Bringing Lunchtime to Life in Maidstone
At AiP, we’re all about making school lunchtimes exciting and nutritious. As one of the leading school catering companies in Maidstone, we take pride in serving fresh, healthy meals every day.
Bringing Lunchtime to Life in Maidstone
At AiP, we’re all about making school lunchtimes exciting and nutritious. As one of the leading school catering companies in Maidstone, we take pride in serving fresh, healthy meals every day.
Nutrition and Safety Standards Assured
Looking after the well-being of our pupils is our top priority. As experienced school caterers, we make sure every meal is packed with goodness, using high-quality ingredients with full transparency. We support lifelong healthy eating habits through our partnership with the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF). As a science-based public charity, the BNF equips our team with trusted nutritional insights, helping us advocate for a well-balanced diet.
Food to make students smile
Founded over 20 years ago and operating in over 400 educational institutions, we’re the experts in school catering. Our local-first approach delivers innovative menus full of tried and tested recipes that support pupil happiness and wellbeing.
Food Smart
Built for primary school pupils, Food Smart is about having fun with food, investing in dining spaces, and offering engaging menus.
Kitcheneers
Retail-focused, our secondary school offering is a fresh approach to health and wellbeing with our health by stealth programme.
The Forum
Food Smart
Built for primary school pupils, Food Smart is about having fun with food, investing in dining spaces, and offering engaging menus.
The Kitcheneers
The Forum
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us. It’s something we live by. We’re constantly looking for smarter ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
Our objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045. Rather than relying solely on carbon offsetting, we are actively reducing emissions through scientifically validated targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
We are proactively addressing food waste through digital pre-ordering and waste tracking systems, intending to reduce food waste by 50% by 2025. By minimising waste, we contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
Sustainability Initiatives
Sustainability isn’t just a buzzword for us. It’s something we live by. We’re constantly looking for smarter ways to reduce our carbon footprint.
Our objective is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045. Rather than relying solely on carbon offsetting, we are actively reducing emissions through scientifically validated targets, approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
We are proactively addressing food waste through digital pre-ordering and waste tracking systems, intending to reduce food waste by 50% by 2025. By minimising waste, we contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
Ensuring Safe and Inclusive School Meals
We understand that food allergies are a major concern, which is why we prioritise allergen management. Our allergen-free meal options, combined with the School Food United platform, make it easy for parents and schools to track and order safe meals with confidence.
Our team collaborates closely with schools to meet every pupil’s dietary needs. Meals are prepared, stored, and labelled separately when necessary, ensuring that every child can enjoy their lunch safely.
Trusted Food Safety & Nutrition
With guidance from expert nutritionists, we craft meals that are not only delicious but also support healthy growth and development. We exceed Government School Food Standards, ensuring every meal is balanced and nourishing.
We also make healthy eating fun! Our chefs run sugar swap workshops throughout the year, introducing pupils to healthier alternatives to their favourite treats without compromising on taste.
Awards and accreditations
We’re proud to hold many awards and accreditations that speak to our high standards for safety and sustainability
Why work with Us?
Producing delicious freshly cooked meals
Providing a fun environment for the pupils
Delivering a packed schedule of theme events
Employing happy friendly smiling staff
Offering a range of special offers
Introducing gardening and cookery clubs
Facilitating competitions, prizes and rewards
Inviting parents in for lunch
Working in partnership with the school
A friendly and open management style
Nutritious, Delicious School Meals in Maidstone
With over 20 years of experience, we specialise in providing school meals that are nutritious, flavourful, and sustainable. Our bespoke catering solutions cater to diverse tastes and dietary requirements, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
Beyond the plate, we create a positive dining experience. Through interactive workshops and hands-on cooking sessions, we make mealtimes enjoyable and educational.
We take pride in our exceptional food safety standards, backed by industry-recognised awards and accreditations. Our processes are approved by our Primary Authority, Salford Council, and we hold ISO certifications, including ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018.
At AiP, we do more than serve meals, we create meaningful experiences that inspire a lifelong love for good food.
What food safety standards are followed by AiP?
- We have the following ISO accreditation : ISO 14001: 2015, ISO 9901: 2015, ISO 45001: 2018.
How does AiP address allergen management?
- Any child with a dietary requirement complete our special diets form. The kitchen team and the school agree a plan to identify these children as they come into the dining hall at service.
- The form is then given to the kitchen and our nutrition team. Together, they create the information needed for safe meals. In the instance of allergy or intolerances, they will create a menu with at least 2 daily options (in most instances) from which the parent/carer and pupil can choose their meals.
- Once the parent has chosen the meals, the kitchen prepares the chosen items and holds them separately, labelled with the pupil’s name and allergen. This is then served to the pupil as they come into the dining hall with separate utensils and plates.
Does AiP accommodate special dietary needs for primary school students?
Does AiP accommodate special dietary needs for secondary school students?
What Certifications do you hold to certify menu quality and sourcing?
- Food For Life Bronze
- MSC licence
- All meat used is British Red Tractor Certified
Key considerations to take onboard when selecting a caterer for schools?
- What is your number one requirement from a school meal provider?
- Only supplies Education Catering. All of our insight, research, and development is focussed on providing freshly prepared, healthy, and tasty meals to schools, using the School Food Plan and Public Health information as our starting point.
- Can you meet the needs of our diverse school population?
- At AiP, we know that one menu doesn’t fit all schools. We offer a selector style menu so that you can tailor the menu to your needs.
- Queues are a big problem at our school, we need to minimise wait times and get children eating within our timetable
- At AiP, we have come up with several strategies to help decrease waiting times such as sign posting along the queue so that students know what is on offer before they arrive, pre-ordering so that meals are ready when they arrive, direct marketing to parents and students so they’re aware of what’s on offer before they arrive, and opening multiple servery points to split traffic. In addition, our primary school pre payment solution, School Food United, allows parents to pre order via the app to help improve speed.
Do you cater for different types of dietary preferences?
- Yes, we offer at least 2 vegetarian options each day.
- We strive to make our vegetarian options vegan friendly as well. We do offer at least one vegan option each day.
- We participate in Meat Free Mondays.
- All of our dessert options are vegetarian. Some of them are also vegan friendly.
- We do not use pork gelatine in any of our desserts.
- We can offer Halal meat if requested by the school.