Education Today Education Today Magazine
School meals provider apetito has revealed its biggest menu refresh to date, comprising 18 new dishes developed with children at the heart, ready for the brand-new school year. Shaped by the views and experiences of pupils, parents and key decision makers across the sector, the new range, created with the expertise of apetito chefs and dietitians, combines great taste with balanced nutrition, bringing more enjoyment, variety and choice to school menus.
Developed following market research, focus groups and children’s tasting sessions conducted by apetito, the launch aims to deliver on what matters most to children. The insights found that many children are not currently excited by and engaged with mealtimes during the school day highlighting a clear opportunity for caterers and suppliers to enhance their experience and a need for more tailored meal options to cater for children’s diverse needs and tastes.
Featuring familiar favourites alongside dishes inspired by global cuisines for more adventurous eaters, the new range comprises simple-to-serve solutions for the whole school week. Comforting Cowboy Beans & Sausages – a hearty mix of beans and sausages in a smoky tomato sauce – join more adventurous dishes including Chinese Style Beef, Chicken Stir-Fry and Lemon & Herb Chicken with Rice as additions to the range.
To encourage more autonomy over children’s food choices, build-your-own dishes also feature. The range includes various side options, including Wholewheat Rigatoni, Garlic Bread, Penne Pasta and Ditalini Pasta, alongside several hearty sauces, including Beef Bolognaise, Tomato & Basil and Cheesy Green Veggie, to suit a variety of tastes. In addition, Mini Pork Chipolatas and Mini Breaded fish are also included, providing classic flavour for smaller appetites.
A Cheese & Tomato Pizza also joins the range. Featuring a rustic, 5-ingredient base topped with tasty tomato sauce and plenty of melted cheese, this classic dish brings familiar flavour to the offering.
The meal provider also introduces four fruit-filled desserts to the range, created with 50% fruit in line with School Food Standards. Its new Banana Bread is made with banana purée for natural sweetness, while its Puff Top Apple Pie features flaky pastry paired with apple and juicy sultanas. The new creamy Banana & Cinnamon Rice Pudding offers a warming combination of comforting flavours while the Toffee Apple Pudding – a soft sponge filled with apple on a base of rich toffee sauce – offers a richer-tasting option.
Rupert Weber, General Manager of Education at apetito, said: “This launch marks an exciting milestone in our approach to school meals. The result of our ongoing research, focus groups and direct feedback from pupils, parents and key decision makers in the sector, this range builds on our existing offer to provide schools with meals that truly meet the expectations of children – and their parents – today.
“The refined range of 18 meals balances nutrition with enjoyment while supporting schools with the ongoing pressures and realities of school catering. Crucially, the range includes meals that children genuinely want to eat, ensuring the nutritional benefits of the meals served are actually eaten.”
