Sodexo wins £4.6m St Leonards school catering contract

Independents by Sodexo has been awarded a £4.6m, five-year contract to deliver catering services at St Leonards School in St Andrews.

St Leonards was founded in 1887 and has 600 pupils aged 5-18 with 150 boarding at the school.

The contract will see Independents by Sodexo introduce a new menu for pupils and staff, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner and options for morning and afternoon breaks from 20 August.

Sodexo has committed to making 33% of its main meals plant-based by 2025 and will introduce dishes such as barbecued jackfruit, and roasted squash and aubergine madras, as well as other vegan, vegetarian and free-from dishes.

It will also encourage the school catering team to minimise food waste and advise pupils to be mindful when choosing meals to avoid unnecessary waste.

Independents by Sodexo will also support the school with hospitality and special events such as sixth form balls and weekend match teas for sports.

Simon Knight, managing director for Independents by Sodexo, said: “We look forward to the start of term and to serve pupils with a brand new menu focused on sustainable, nutritious and delicious food.”

Last month Sodexo announced a collaboration with Great British Menu chef Kate Austen to develop new dishes for its workplace dining offer.

The caterer also recently secured a contract with Oasis Restore, the UK’s first purpose-built secure school for detained children and young people, where it will offer food and hospitality skills training to students.

Sodexo, which is based in France, employs around 430,000 people in 45 countries. It reported revenues of €22.6b (£19.1b) in the 2023 financial year.