Partners

Middleton Foods is the UK’s leading manufacturer of foodservice and bakery pre-mixes, and has a reputation you can trust. Both our main site and bespoke gluten free production facility have achieved the highest possible AA+ certification, following unannounced BRC Global Standards (BRCGS) and Gluten Free Certification Program (GFCP) Audits for Food Safety.

We’re very proud of our dedication to maintaining excellent standards for food safety and our commitment to innovative NPD. Our food mixes are all manufactured in the UK using 100% British wheat and are designed with quality and ease of use in mind. We have over 20 consistent, high quality products to choose from, packaged in a convenient 3.5kg pack size, to which users simply add water.

We understand the importance eating in school has on providing the energy needed for children to maintain concentration for the school day and ensuring they develop an understanding of healthy eating. We also understand the importance of making school meals enjoyable, and how creating an eating experience that looks and tastes delicious is key.

With demand for gluten free foods continuing to grow – Coeliac UK estimate around 1 in 100 people are affected by coeliac disease – our gluten free range features over 20 products in 3kg resealable tubs. It’s an ideal choice for school caterers developing menus for children with specific dietary requirements and allergens. The mixes not only save time and effort but ensure quality and consistency time-after-time. In fact, the appearance and taste are just as indulgent as desserts with gluten – so suitable for everyone to enjoy. Caterers can be assured of their dedication and commitment to food quality, safety and responsibility as they cater for an increasing number of consumers with specific dietary requirements; which is especially important within education catering.

Eating in school should be enjoyable, so creating an eating experience that looks and tastes delicious is key. Our range of gluten free products helps make offering great tasting popular puddings quick and easy, with minimal preparation! Our popular pudding mixes include:

• New Middleton Gluten Free Mousse – deliciously light, airy soft-set dessert available in three delicious flavours; Strawberry, Chocolate and Banana
• Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix – rich, delicious brownies; a real treat
• Gluten Free Flapjack Mix – perfect for oaty, syrupy, chewy flapjacks

Using a high quality pre-mix, school caterers can accommodate the pressures of a busy kitchen. Preparation time is reduced, there’s no need to store a range of ingredients, stock can easily be controlled and, importantly, costs can easily be managed. They ensure consistency – so time after time, the taste and quality remain the same – and, what’s more, any member of the kitchen team can make the products; no specific skills are required. The results are like making from scratch and are still homemade.

For further information and product samples, please visit www.middletonfoods.com.

You can also follow us on social media – we’re @middletonfoods on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Partner Q&A with Paul Stanley, Foodservice Manager, Middleton Foods

Tell us about your product/service range?

As the UK’s leading manufacturer of foodservice and bakery pre-mixes, Middleton Foods has a reputation you can trust. Our range comprises over 20 products, all manufactured in the UK using 100% British wheat.

Demand for gluten free foods is growing – Coeliac UK estimate around 1 in 100 people are affected by coeliac disease – and our gluten free range is an ideal choice for school caterers developing menus for children with specific dietary requirements and allergens.

The mixes not only save time and effort but ensure quality and consistency time-after-time. In fact, the appearance and taste are just as indulgent as foods with gluten – so suitable for everyone to enjoy. Caterers can be assured of their dedication and commitment to food quality, safety and responsibility as they cater for an increasing number of consumers with specific dietary requirements; which is especially important within education catering.

Our mixes include:

·    New Middleton Gluten Free Mousse – deliciously light, airy soft-set dessert available in three delicious flavours; Strawberry, Chocolate and Banana
·    Gluten Free Chocolate Fudge Brownie Mix – rich, delicious brownies; a real treat
·    Gluten Free Flapjack Mix – perfect for oaty, syrupy, chewy flapjacks
·    Gluten Free White Bread and Pizza Base Mix – suitable for making tasty crusty white bread with soft, light crumb; or a pizza base

Why is it so well suited to the school food sector?

We understand the importance eating in school has on providing the energy needed for children to maintain concentration for the school day and ensuring they develop an understanding of healthy eating. We also understand the importance of making school meals enjoyable, and how creating an eating experience that looks and tastes delicious is key. Eating in school should be enjoyable, so creating an eating experience that looks and tastes delicious is something we’re passionate about. Our range of products helps make offering great tasting popular puddings quick and easy, with minimal preparation!

Using a high quality pre-mix, school caterers can accommodate the pressures of a busy kitchen. Preparation time is reduced, there’s no need to store a range of ingredients, stock can easily be controlled and, importantly, costs can easily be managed. Pre-mixes ensure consistency – so time after time, the taste and quality remain the same – and, what’s more, any member of the kitchen team can make the products; no specific skills are required. The results are like making from scratch and are still homemade.

What do you do to support the school food sector beyond the supply of your products/service?

Our Development Chef, Luke Stanesby, works hard to deliver food demos and sampling opportunities for caterers and chefs. He’s kept busy offering recipe development sessions to support and inspire school caterers in delivering menus and concepts which satisfy their health and wellbeing initiatives.

We’ve long been involved with the LACA Awards for Excellence and are a proud sponsor of the LACA Primary School Catering Team of the Year Award. The Awards celebrate those who make a real difference to school food and education catering, which is something we’re delighted to support and be aligned with. Building relationships with key people in the industry is a crucial part of the work we do, and supporting and engaging with our peers in the sector is really important to us.  

Why is supporting LACA and their work so important to you as a business?

We take great pride in being a LACA Partner. With LACA being the voice for school catering, it’s important we support the Association with its efforts to lead key messages for the industry. Encouraging the younger generation to understand the importance of health and wellbeing, and to know about quality food and the choices they make when choosing what to consume are really important to us at Middleton Foods. As too, of course, is making eating in schools enjoyable and something for young people to look forward to in their day. By working alongside LACA, we can strive to do this.

What was your favourite lunch when you were at school?

Gosh, now you’re taking me on a trip down memory lane. Probably something like Cottage Pie. But it was always the pudding I enjoyed and looked forward to most! Arctic roll was up there, as too was rice pudding. But mousse was my favourite. Chocolate mousse!

What are the biggest challenges you are facing for your businesses?

We’re all very aware of the cost of living crisis. With inflation the highest it’s ever been, it’s certainly the biggest challenge to us all right now. The impact of higher food costs on society is prevalent, particularly when it comes to school meals. As with most of the industry, we continue to work through and are committed to delivering great quality, great value products for our customers.