School Catering Companies in Hampshire
At AiP, we aim to bring a fresh approach to school meals across Hampshire through our nutritious and engaging menus that pupils love. With decades of experience in educational catering, we work closely with each school to deliver food that supports well-being and a positive dining experience.
School Catering Companies in Hampshire
At AiP, we aim to bring a fresh approach to school meals across Hampshire through our nutritious and engaging menus that pupils love. With decades of experience in educational catering, we work closely with each school to deliver food that supports well-being and a positive dining experience.
Committed to Fresh, Nutritious Food
Our chefs, operations teams, and in-house nutritionists work hand in hand to make mealtimes enjoyable for every pupil. We understand the daily challenges headteachers face around school catering, which is why quality, trust, and consistency remain at the heart of everything we do. This commitment has made us one of the UK’s leading education catering providers.
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
Sustainable Catering Across Hampshire
Sustainability is part of our everyday practice. We’re actively working towards carbon neutrality and taking steps to reduce food waste across all our schools.
With digital ordering, seasonal menus, and a strong focus on UK seasonal produce while working with ‘wonky veg’ – we’re cutting waste and supporting the planet.
Sustainable Catering Across Hampshire
Sustainability is part of our everyday practice. We’re actively working towards carbon neutrality and taking steps to reduce food waste across all our schools.
With digital ordering, seasonal menus, and a strong focus on UK seasonal produce while working with ‘wonky veg’ – we’re cutting waste and supporting the planet.
Food That Supports Healthy Choices
Supporting young people in making balanced choices starts with the right food at school. Our meals are created by specialist food developers and leading nutritionists who understand the importance of variety, flavour, and fun in school menus.
Over 400 School Partnerships and Growing
We cater to over 400 educational institutions nationwide, bringing dependable, innovative food solutions to diverse school communities. Our chefs use responsibly sourced, seasonal ingredients to prepare meals that are fresh and full of flavour. It’s a local-first model designed to boost health and well-being in every school we serve.
Catering for Every Age Group
From early years to sixth form, our catering solutions adapt to the needs of every age group. By working with trusted suppliers and food development experts, we create menus that are not only nutritious but also engaging, ensuring pupils are excited to explore what’s on their plate each day.
Safe and Inclusive Menus
We understand that dietary needs vary, and managing allergens is a top priority. Every recipe is carefully developed while considering allergens and intolerances to help keep pupils safe and give parents peace of mind.
Across the school day, from morning to after school, we provide diverse meal options from plant-based and vegetarian dishes to allergy-aware menus—ensuring inclusivity for all.
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
School Catering in Hampshire
AiP has supported schools for over 20 years with onsite catering that makes a real difference. In Hampshire, our tailored services are designed to complement the needs of schools and the community through nutritional guidance, innovative menus and engaging activities.
Throughout the year, we run hands-on, chef-led workshops in schools, from pizza and bread-making to sugar swap sessions, helping pupils build food knowledge and skills in a fun, interactive way.
Let’s work together to make school food a highlight of every pupil’s day.
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.