School Catering in Liverpool

At AiP, we are deeply committed to preparing school meals that are fresh, nutritious, and promote the well-being of our children in Liverpool.

School Catering in Liverpool

At AiP, we are deeply committed to preparing school meals that are fresh, nutritious, and promote the well-being of our children in Liverpool.

Nutrition and Safety Standards Assured

Our on-site and off-site school catering in Liverpool delivers high-quality meals that go well beyond Government School Food Standards to achieve wholesome meals that promote well-being. We work in collaboration with leading nutritionists and top chefs in the country, to make food not only nutritious but also fun and exciting. From primary, secondary and the 6th Form, our meals appeal to children of all ages.

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 Logo

Food Smart

Built for primary school pupils, Food Smart is about having fun with food, investing in dining spaces, and offering engaging menus.

Kitcheners

Kitcheneers

Retail-focused, our secondary school offering is a fresh approach to health and wellbeing with our health by stealth programme.

The Forum

Learn more about our world flavour food offer, designed especially for sixth-form students expecting high street café culture.

Food Smart

Built for primary school pupils, Food Smart is about having fun with food, investing in dining spaces, and offering engaging menus.

Kitcheners

The Kitcheneers

Retail-focused, our secondary school offering is a fresh approach to health and wellbeing with our health by stealth programme.

The Forum

Learn more about our world flavour food offer, designed especially for sixth-form students expecting high street café culture.

Sustainability initiatives

Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. Local sourcing, seasonal produce, ethical supply chains and food-waste reduction make our food system low-impact and earth-friendly. We’re aiming to be carbon neutral by 2025 and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045. Our short and long-term targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative(SBTi). From incorporating wonky veggies, free-range eggs, Red Tractor-certified meat and MSC-certified fish in our school meals, we’ve built partnerships based on shared environmental and social values.

Sustainability initiatives

Sustainability is at the heart of our operations. Local sourcing, seasonal produce, ethical supply chains and food-waste reduction make our food system low-impact and earth-friendly. We’re aiming to be carbon neutral by 2025 and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2045. Our short and long-term targets are validated by the Science Based Targets initiative(SBTi). From incorporating wonky veggies, free-range eggs, Red Tractor-certified meat and MSC-certified fish in our school meals, we’ve built partnerships based on shared environmental and social values.

Two boys eating a pie

Allergen management

We prioritize allergen management, taking a stringent approach to ensure that all students can safely enjoy their food. Special dietary menus with allergen-free options are available for pre-ordering on the School Food United platform. All allergen-free and special diet meals are prepared, stored, and labeled separately. Additionally, we also use separate utensils when serving these meals.

Our customisable menus accommodate various medical and alternative dietary needs, offering vegetarian/vegan options and participating in Meat-free Mondays in Liverpool schools. Our school catering services are tailored to each school’s unique requirements, ensuring nutritious and inclusive meals are served safely to all students.

Food safety and nutritional standards

We take great pride in our rigorous safety standards and protocols. Our school catering in Liverpool by AiP is accredited with ISO 14001:2015, ISO 9001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certifications, ensuring accountability and credibility.

Going beyond Government School Food Standards and in full compliance with the School Food Plan, we prioritise well-balanced child nutrition in schools. Our chefs undergo training by the British Nutrition Foundation, a public-facing charity rooted in science, the BNF assists our partners in promoting balanced diets by offering reliable nutrition information.

Awards and accreditations

We’re proud to hold many awards and accreditations that speak to our high standards for safety and sustainability

50 food

Why work with Us?

To exceed all nutritional standards

Producing delicious freshly cooked meals

Creating a Home from Home experience

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

Nutritionally Balanced Student Meals for Schools in Liverpool

AiP believes in supporting a healthy future generation. Through our brands with Food Smart, Kitcheneers and The Forum, our food development team creates vibrant menus adapted to each age group.

We’ve introduced healthy eating awareness to schools with chef-led workshops and sugar swap classes, fostering a positive food culture where every child embraces healthier choices in Liverpool schools.

We are committed to providing nutritious and sustainable school meals made fresh using sustainable food sourcing, we keep our food miles short and menus seasonal. Our school catering in Liverpool always sets high standards for food quality and safety.

Our digital platform, School Food United, allows easy and efficient pre-ordering for safer meals for all children. It facilitates two-way feedback and better communication. The platform provides detailed information to improve allergen tracing and decision-making, while also reducing the stigma associated with free school meals, ensuring that every child can enjoy nutritious lunches with their peers.

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?
Yes, we can accommodate most special dietary needs. In some instances, we may ask for medical information to confirm that we are creating the correct meal to keep students safe. But, this is only requested in a minority of times when allergens fall outside the 14 regulated allergens or the need is very medically specific.
Does AiP accommodate special dietary needs for secondary school students?
Yes, we can accommodate most special dietary needs. In some instances, we may ask for medical information to confirm that we are creating the correct meal to keep students safe. But, this is only requested in a minority of times when allergens fall outside the 14 regulated allergens or the need is very medically specific.
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.