The LACA Autumn Seminar will take place on Friday 15th November at Chesford Grange.
Refreshments will be provided and free parking is available for day delegates, subject to availability.
There is also an option to book accommodation and places at the informal dinner on Thursday 14th November ahead of the event.
Agenda:
09.00 Arrival, registration and coffee
09.30 Welcome, Aims of the Day and LACA Update – Neil Porter, Chair of Events Group, LACA Ltd followed by Judith Gregory, LACA National Chair
Judith will kick the day off with an update on LACA’s strategy and focus for the coming year.
10.00 Levelling Up School Food – Campaign and NSMW Update
Judith Gregory, following a round table meeting on September 18th 2024, delegates will be updated on the progress of the levelling up/If not now when programme and its ambitions for the next 12 months.
National School Meals Week finishes on November 15th. We will have a quick review of the weeks activities and successes
10.25 LACA School Chef of the Year Interview
David Foad, Group Editor for School Caterer interviews 2024 School Chef of the Year Jennifer Brown about her experiences of the competition, the excitement of winning and her plans for her year ahead.
10.40 LACA market scoping research
LACA have conducted some research that will give members a benchmark for how the school meals sector is currently constructed, particularly in relation to in-house, local authority and outsourced provision.
10.55 Coffee Break
11.25 Political Update - Lee Petar, Menara Advisors
11.45 Social Media Update - Gail Walker, Open Door PR
11.55 Case Study 1 – Cardiff - Theo Callender, Catering Manager
The Flexible Supported Employment Project provides individuals with additional learning needs (ALN) opportunities to develop and hone employability skills, in order to gain employment within a related catering/hospitality position. The project demonstrates tangible benefits including better outcomes for individuals with ALN, improved diversity/inclusion within the LA workforce and improved community cohesiveness, contributing to social value.
12.25 Case Study 2 – Local Food Links - Caroline Morgan, Managing Director
Local Food Links has created a great quality school meals service that works for Dorset, a county where provision disappeared for 25 years. Employing 50 local people, meals are prepared using ingredients from local suppliers, ordered via a bespoke online system and delivered either hot or chilled to local schools.
12.55 LACA Member Survey Results
13.15 Closing Remarks & Finish