Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

Original poster

Cost of school diners

37 replies

Project · 18/02/2011 18:52

I am new to mumsnet and this topic will be somewhere but I've not found it yet. I have just found out that out of the £1.90 I pay for school diners only 65pence goes on food. I am shocked and worked out in my area (Lancashire County Council) they supply diners to 483 primary schools. If only 100 chidren in each school took school diners, the council would take £91,000 but only spend £31,00 on childrens food per day! Also the representative told the parent forum they 'like to ulk the children up on bread'!!!!!!! How do I stop this! (thankyou)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
BristolJim · 18/02/2011 18:54

Where does the 100 children figure come from?

How much does it cost to heat the food? Transport the food? Pay the dinner ladies?

activate · 18/02/2011 18:56

staff, transport, energy, washing up, catering supplies, kitchen equipment, eating supplies, training, health and safety protocols and profit for the private companies who run it

what are you expecting?

activate · 18/02/2011 18:57

what will really piss you off is when you find out that for the £1.90 you've spent your child has decidedn to choose a slice of bread and some rice and made themself a white rice sandwich

that stings Grin

Original poster
Project · 18/02/2011 19:07

I know - they love the bloody bread but that's not the point. The food is made on the premises by a diner lady who is paid minimum wage, the produce is sourced by the procurement department at basket deal prices and there is no private company - this is local government!

OP posts:
activate · 18/02/2011 19:10

what so the school directly employs the onsite chef

what about other staff costs

Pancakeflipper · 18/02/2011 19:11

It's £1.92 at our school... Any bids higher than that?

Original poster
Project · 18/02/2011 19:14

the school employs the onsight chef and the older children serve the younger one's - can you see why I am questioning where does the £1.30 go? I would just like to know - I did ask the Local council and they said telephone bills, stationary etc - not for 483 schools - we're talking £1.8 million per term as a low estimate

OP posts:
mamasmissionimpossible · 18/02/2011 19:17

£2.10 here (south east), bloody rip off. That's why ds takes a packed lunch to school.

ScramVonChubby · 18/02/2011 19:21

Ours is £1.90 but it's going to private after half term and apparenlty rate not yet set (er what? they broke up today PMSL)

mrz · 18/02/2011 19:21

Free here for all children until September

Original poster
Project · 18/02/2011 19:21

I wish I was more organised / had more hours to do that - they beg me sometimes!

OP posts:
OffToNarnia · 18/02/2011 19:23

£2 a day here - again south east. However I am aware that the school does not make any profit from school dinners. Staff costs I guess...

PixieOnaLeaf · 18/02/2011 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Project · 18/02/2011 19:28

Sorry - that's the Chardonnay

OP posts:
verybored · 18/02/2011 19:29

Ours are £2 too. Mine only have it on roast or chip day as all the others are, frankly, vile.

PatriciaHolm · 18/02/2011 19:29

That's pretty normal, probably a little above average. A few years ago the average was about 40p I think! They have to account for wages, kitchen fitting and repair, transport, electricity, plates, cutlery...etc. The cost of provision is a multiple of the cost of the raw ingredients. It could probably be a little better, but not hugely.

Ormirian · 18/02/2011 19:31

I went out for dinner last Sunday. Remind me to ask how much of the bill was food so that I can complain and demand a refund Hmm

Sinkingfeeling · 18/02/2011 19:32

£2.05 here - has anyone gone into school to see what school dinners are like these days? I haven't, but would like to know what I get for my money.

Original poster
Project · 18/02/2011 19:35

We have a menu but it was the comment from the council about bulking the children up on bread that really lit my fire! Also she tried to tell me pizza, chips and 'skinny' donuts were full of complex cardohydrates! When I questioned what part of a donut was complex carbohydrates she said the jam was diabetic jam! Really worrying......

OP posts:
BettyDouglas · 18/02/2011 19:37

The rest are staff costs. Same as everything.

Original poster
Project · 18/02/2011 19:38

I need to switch career then!

OP posts:
taintedpaint · 18/02/2011 19:42

For the quality of the food, which is pants, the cost is extortion.

I send DN with a packed lunch, and won't change my mind anytime soon. He's fine with it, as am I, and he's not being filled with overpriced shit.

laosvher · 18/02/2011 19:43

£2.10 here, north
For that they get either a protein for a hot meal, which is usually lasange/funny cheese thing/meatballs, and then a veg which is either broccoli or cauliflower, and a dessert or a drink.
Or a sandwich and a desert or drink.
DD does indeed tell me in detail what she has for lunch each day :o

PomonaTodd · 18/02/2011 19:44

£2.15 in York. I seem to be winning so far.

DS and DD have packed lunches btw.

laosvher · 18/02/2011 19:44

protein and carbohydrate that was supposed to be.

Swipe left for the next trending thread