LACA Partners - Annual membership benefits

• Advertising - Website/Yearbook, E-Newletter & Social Media
• Membership Lists
• Groups & Representatives
• LACAnet
• Regions
• Protocol for Partners

Annual Membership Benefits - Your Annual Membership Fee also includes:

Campaign and Lobbying contribution

Over the past 12 months, British politics has been marked by significant developments and challenges, particularly in the context of the cost of living crisis and innovations in the school food sector. As the 2024 general election approaches, these issues have become even more prominent.

Political Developments

New Government: The Labour Party, led by Sir Keir Starmer, won the 2024 general election in a landslide victory, marking the first left- leaning government in 14 years. The new government has outlined ambitious plans to address economic stability, NHS waiting times, border security, and education. One of their key initiatives is the introduction of free breakfast clubs in primary schools, aimed at alleviating financial pressure on families and ensuring children start their day with a nutritious meal.

Conservative Party Leadership Election: Following their historic defeat, the Conservative Party is undergoing a leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak, who announced his resignation as party leader. The leadership race includes prominent figures such as Kemi Badenoch, Robert Jenrick, and James Cleverly, with the final result expected in November 2024.

Economic Policies and Cost of Living: The cost of living crisis remains a central issue, with inflation and rising energy costs impacting households across the UK. The Labour Party’s proposed measures, including the free breakfast clubs, are part of a broader strategy to support families and improve living standards.

Legislative Actions: The new government has introduced various bills to address ongoing issues. For instance, the Illegal Migration Bill was introduced to tackle immigration challenges. Additionally, the Windsor Framework was announced to address post-Brexit issues in Northern Ireland.

The School Food Sector

Free Breakfast Clubs: One of the most significant proposals in the school food sector is the Labour Party’s plan to introduce free breakfast clubs in all primary schools. This initiative is designed to support children’s nutrition and academic performance, as research shows that a nutritious breakfast can improve concentration and learning outcomes. The pilot program, set to begin in April 2024, will involve 750 schools and aims to roll out nationally, costing an estimated £315 million.

Addressing Food Insecurity: The cost of living crisis has exacerbated food insecurity, as we see many families struggling to afford basic necessities. Schools have increasingly become a frontline in addressing this issue, with some implementing food banks and other support measures to ensure students have access to adequate nutrition.

Sustainability and Innovation: The school food sector has also seen a push towards sustainability and innovation. Efforts to reduce food waste, incorporate locally sourced ingredients, and

provide healthier meal options are becoming more prevalent. These initiatives not only aim to improve the quality of school meals but also educate students about sustainable practices and healthy eating habits.

Role of LACA

LACA continues to play a crucial role in driving and leading the school food sector. LACA advocates for high-quality, nutritious school meals and supports initiatives that promote the well-being of students. By providing training, resources, and guidance to school caterers, LACA ensures that best practices are implemented across the sector. Their efforts are particularly important in the context of the proposed free breakfast clubs, as they will be instrumental in ensuring the successful rollout and operation of these programs.

The past year has been marked by significant political and economic challenges in the UK, with a strong focus on addressing the cost of living crisis. Innovations in the school food sector, particularly the proposed introduction of free breakfast clubs by the Labour Party, highlight the ongoing efforts to support children’s well-being and academic success amidst these challenges. LACA’s leadership and advocacy are vital in driving these initiatives forward and ensuring their success.

✅ Advertising - Website/Yearbook, E-Newletter & Social Media

Website – Listing

Your company logo, address, and contact details will be listed on this page. You have the facility to add text to give information of your products and services.

Check your entry on the website and send any changes required to Rebecca Saunders rebeccas@dewberryredpoint.co.uk

Yearbook

The Annual Yearbook is published in the Spring, and there will be an updatable online version.

Dewberry Redpoint will contact you directly to discuss your copy and artwork requirements however should you have any questions please contact: Andrew Archer andrewa@dewberryredpoint.co.uk

E-Newsletter

The e-newsletter is sent to LACA members and 1700 other people weekly.  If you have features you would like to be considered, please contact:Andrew Archer andrewa@dewberryredpoint.co.uk

Social Media

LACA maintains an active presence on social media platforms like X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, where it covers all industry news, regional news, and campaigns (such as SCOTY, NSMW and LACA Main Event) and promotes everything great about school food.

LACA encourages all their members and partners to participate, share their stories, and tag LACA in their posts and updates.

X: @LACA_UK

LinkedIn: LACA - The School Food People

Instagram: @LACA_UK

Facebook: @LACA

✅ Membership Lists

The LACA database is available on LACAnet in the Partners’ area and updated quarterly by the LACA administration team.

Partners will also receive a full Main Event delegate list prior to the event. This will be issued at the end of May and again at the end of June each year. Partners’ requests for seating at the Gala Dinner to be sent to organisers after receipt of the June list.

Membership queries and enquiries should be addressed to: James Beaumont at admin@laca.co.uk

✅ Working Groups and Representatives

Communications
Events
Business Centre 
Membership Services

✅ LACAnet

LACA has developed an ‘intranet’ service (LACAnet). Access is available to members holding national or regional office, seconded members of working groups, contractors to the Association and importantly, the named ‘lead’ of Partners with LACA.

This service offers the opportunity for Partners to access relevant information, Partner working documents and enable interaction between Partners. 

✅ LACA Regions 

http://laca.co.uk/regions

Partner Attendance at Regional Meetings

Lead Partners (or their regional representative) are eligible for one free place at all regional meetings. Partners are however required to pay for any extras i.e. dinner.

This arrangement is managed locally by Regional Chairs with regard to numbers/places available due to the size of venues etc. but every effort will be made to accommodate Partners’ requests wherever possible.

Bryan Lygate is the Regional Coordinator.

Regional Chairs will ensure timely advance notice of their meetings, which are advertised on the website.

Protocol for Partners

The scheme is open to existing Partners in the first instance, before offering any remaining places to potential suppliers.

To avoid any conflict of interest and to uphold the integrity of LACA, Partners must not share any commercially sensitive information (acquired from being a Partner) with any other company and/or service provider to this sector of the industry.

Below are some notes for guidance in fulfilling your role as a valued Partner with LACA Ltd. This guidance is suggested to protect the interests of both parties.

• The Partner Membership is on an annual basis, with fees paid within 14 days following invoice date.
• Membership does not represent an endorsement of any Company’s products.
• Partners are expected to uphold the reputation of LACA Ltd at all times.   A representative Partner may attend the LACA Ltd National Board
• Meetings as an ex officio board representative, with full voting rights
• (annually elected). The Governance rules cover the Partner role on the Board.
• Nominated Partner representatives may sit on three of the LACA Working Groups (Member Services, Communications and Events) annually elected. The role is to provide expertise.
• Partners are requested not to act independently of LACA Ltd in any related representations/activities, without the prior agreement of LACA Ltd.
• Partners may only use the LACA Ltd Partners’ logo during the year of membership. The LACA Ltd Partners’ logo is for use only by the
• Company name registered. It cannot be used by a non Partner company with whom a Partner may be associated, nor against individual brands within a Partner Company’s portfolio, or which are a subset of a company name.
• The Board reserves the right to refuse applications to the Partners with LACA Scheme and that decision will be at the Board’s discretion.

Partners’ Policy - LACA Ltd Competition Law Compliance Policy for Partners

Introduction

This policy governs the conduct of all Partners’ dealings within the context of LACA Ltd. All LACA

Partners are required to comply with this policy.

Competition law does not prohibit Partners from attending LACA meetings. However, because competing (or potentially competing) suppliers will come into contact with one another at LACA meetings, care must be taken to avoid discussions which go beyond legitimate business purposes.

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that Partners do not engage in any activity which could be considered unlawful under competition law.

LACA’s Obligations

LACA will not coordinate with other trade associations or similar bodies on membership fees, services offered to members or any other terms of membership liable to affect competition between associations.

Discussions that take place between associations must avoid such commercially sensitive subjects.

Rules on admission of Members to LACA and the terms of membership will be transparent, proportionate, nondiscriminatory and based on objective standards. Procedures for expelling Members from LACA will be based on reasonable and objective standards. LACA will not engage in joint buying or selling on behalf of Partners.

Individual Responsibility

This policy has been adopted in the spirit of compliance with competition law and is intended to remind Partners of the basic principles of competition laws generally and

to highlight areas that may be of specific relevance to LACA.

Although all Partners are required to comply with this policy, Partners remain individually responsible for complying with competition law and

should seek independent legal advice if they have questions or concerns regarding the application of this policy or competition law more generally.

LACA offers no warranty that by following this policy Partners will not be acting in breach of competition law.

The Purpose of LACA and The Partners’ Scheme

LACA’s mission statement is to set high standards in Education Catering and to be the lead consultative body to the Government on all aspects of school food and in delivering healthy eating policies.

It also seeks to support caterers to enable them to meet changing

industry demands. [The funding from suppliers raised through the LACA Partners’ Scheme enables LACA to deliver its objectives. Supplier Partners participate in the scheme to support LACA’s objectives for the benefit of its members and suppliers alike.]

Agendas and Meeting Administration

An agenda will be circulated before every meeting so that Partners have an opportunity to consider it and raise an objection if they consider that any item is inappropriate.

Similarly, all Partners will receive a complete and accurate minute so there is an official record of every meeting.

The Chairperson will remind Partners of this policy at the start of every meeting. Only Members and Partners shall be entitled to attend LACA meetings.

Content of LACA Meetings

Partners must ensure that only legitimate topics are discussed at LACA meetings. Partners should not use LACA meetings as an opportunity to discuss, agree or exchange information with their competitors on any matters which could have as their object or effect the prevention restriction or distortion of competition.

Partners MAY discuss topics of a general nature, including the following:

• How LACA is intending to drive the uptake of school meals.
• LACA’s current campaigns, initiatives and lobbying activities.
• Difficulties local authorities are facing in the current environment.
• The Government’s current views/ approach to schools, funding and school meals.
• LACA events including competitions, training and conferences.
• Discussion of the benefits Partners receive as a result of their involvement with LACA.
• Trends in public opinion and displays at trade fairs and shows.

 Partners MAY NOT discuss or agree or exchange information on:

• Current or future prices or discounts offered to customers.
• The terms on which products are supplied to customers.
• Promotional activities or marketing investments.
• Costs.
• Other confidential information or trade secrets e.g. production
• capacity, sales, stock holding, R&D; the allocation of customers to each other (i.e. agreeing not to compete with each other for business from particular customers or in particular sectors)
• or any other division of markets.
• Allocating territories, types of outlet or product to each other.
• Information on tenders, or whether Partners intend to respond to an invitation to tender or the terms on which they will do so.
• Levels of production, inventory levels, production processes and methods, levels of raw material or ingredients.
• Whether they will cease purchasing goods from a particular supplier
• or refuse to quote for, or supply, a particular customer.
• Decisions as to the appointment of new Partners must remain a matter exclusively for the LACA board.
• Partners MAY NOT engage in any vote with the purpose or effect
• of excluding any members of the industry from participation in the Partners’ Scheme.

 Procedure if a Partner considers a topic as inappropriate

• If a Partner considers that any subject being discussed at a LACA meeting is inappropriate or in breach of this policy, whether the Partner is party to that discussion or not, the Partner should take the following steps:
• The Partner should immediately raise the matter with the Chairman of the meeting; The Partner should absent themselves from the meeting immediately;
• The Partner should take such steps as it considers to be necessary
• in light of the breach that has occurred. Where a Partner notifies LACA of a breach of this policy in the manner outlined above, LACA will: Terminate that discussion or meeting immediately;
• Investigate the alleged breach to determine whether this policy has been breached and what action should be taken; and
• Ensure that proper records are kept of (a) the alleged breach of this policy, including details of the Partners involved, (b) the outcome of LACA’s investigation into the breach and (c) the steps.