News

Sodexo Education has launched The Social, a new retail offer to mirror high street trends, which is designed to help school caterers increase take-up and drive sales.
The Social has been trialled in three schools over the last few months after twelve months of research with students. The team aims to introduce the brand to all of its 50 secondary schools across the UK throughout the course of 2015.

Rachael Cook, account director for Sodexo’s commercial education team, said: “Getting the presentation of food in schools right is really important. Students want to see well-stocked and well-styled counters, offering food choices, which mirror the selection they would see out on the high street.

“Through The Social we have created a really strong style guide for catering managers. This gives practical tips on how food should be presented, for example incorporating lots of wooden boards, white china and lots of colourful displays with fresh produce.

“In terms of the actual food on offer, our menus are very much governed by the nutritional guidance set out in the School Food Plan. We have, however, developed lots of healthy ‘grab and go’ options, such as roast dinner wraps and fruit pots, which are proving really popular with students.”

Sodexo is reporting that one of the first schools to try out the new concept, Oasis Academy in Coulsden has seen a 10% uplift in transactions since the The Social was introduced, with excellent feedback from the students about their new-look restaurant.