Waltham Forest Catering is the largest provider of school meals in Waltham Forest. We produce approximately 12,000 meals a day to 62 primary, special and nursery schools, six secondary schools and two pupil referral units.
We work closely with Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust and the healthy schools team to ensure that our meals meet the highest standards. Our highly qualified and experienced team of managers, cooks and catering assistants work together to provide a high quality service.
At Waltham Forest Catering we recognise the link between the food children eat and their behaviour and performance. We are keen to ensure children are provided with meals made with fresh, high quality ingredients that they enjoy eating.
We are committed to healthy eating and do this by providing a balanced choice of meals daily. Our menu planning takes careful consideration of current nutritional advice, popular dishes and the diversity of our community.
Our School Meals Strategy (22KB PDF file), supports our aim to encourage more children and young people to choose healthy school meals and increase the number of them benefting from having a tasty and nutritious school lunch.
For more information download the School Meal Strategy (224KB PDF file) and the School Meals Strategy Action Plan 2009-2011 (25KB PDF file).
» Download a Eat Well Do Well leaflet (224KB PDF file)
Daily menu choice
Each day children can choose from:
- 2/3 main meal choices including a vegetarian dish
- 3 seasonal salad items
- Choice of potatoes or rice
- 2 hot vegetables
- 2 dessert dishes
- Seasonal fresh fruit platter
- Fresh baked bread
We review our menus regularly, developing new ideas and encouraging children and parents to become involved via school councils or school nutrition groups. Our aim is to make the food appealing to pupils and students and therefore make lunchtime fun.
Multi-cultural choices
Our menus reflect the diversity of the residents in Waltham Forest.
Careful cooking
The food that our staff prepare is carefully sourced with limited use of processed ingredients. We ensure that wherever possible we:
- Use natural ingredients
- Use free range eggs
- Use Fairtrade ingredients
- Grill or bake food to reduce fat
- Prepare freshly cooked or raw vegetables, using seasonal produce where possible
- Adjust recipes so that they contain less sugar, salt and fat
Meal prices
We provide varied balanced nutritious meals to pupils and school staff. For around £1.75 for primary and £1.80 for secondary you can get a tasty two course meal.
This price reflects value for money, and compares favourably with prices charged in other boroughs for school meals.
Your child may also qualify for free school meals.
Primary schools serviced by Waltham Forest Catering
Waltham Forest Catering Service provide school lunches to all of the primary schools except Davies Lane Primary, Church Hill Nursery, Hillyfields Community School, St Patricks Primary School and Mission Grove Primary School and Acacia Nursery.
Secondary schools serviced by Waltham Forest Catering
Waltham Forest Catering provides school lunches to Connaught Girls, Leytonstone, George Mitchell, Holy Family Technology College, Norlington Boys and Willowfield Schools.
Why not visit us?
Why not visit the your child's school dining room (by prior arrangement with the school) so you can see for yourself the quality of the meals provided.
To book a school meal, please see your school office or for more information, please contact our catering manager.
We look forward to seeing you.
Contact us
If you would like to write to us then please use the address below:
Waltham Forest Catering Service
Environment & Regeneration
Silver Birch House
Uplands Business Park
Blackhorse Lane
Walthamstow E17 5SD
Tel 020 8496 3000
