The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Chartwells Boss Apologises For Free School Meal Mistake

Chartwells Boss Apologises For Free School Meal Mistake
14 January 2021
 

The Managing Director of Compass Group has apologised for the lack of quality in the free school meals provided by its catering company Chartwells this week.

“The first thing I want to do, personally and on behalf of Chartwells and Compass, is to say sorry,” declared Robin Mills in a statement. He went on to admit that “the quality and quantity” of the produce in the images on Twitter fell short of their usual standards.

He also reassured parents that actions such as extra quality assurance checks at the supplier level and within each individual school were being put into place. 

Chartwells colleagues in each school will now sign off on batches of parcels as they leave the school, and there is now a free helpline for concerned schools and parents that will go live on Monday 18 January.

Mills also commented:

“Getting nutritious food to children at home during lockdown is critical. We are stepping up to meet this challenge in multiple ways, ensuring everything we do meets the exacting standards which rightly apply to children’s food.”

In addition to the free breakfast provisions, Chartwells will also offer schools the option of lunch parcels through the February half term at no cost.

 

"As Managing Director of Compass Group UK and Ireland, the company which owns Chartwells, I want to tell you what’s happened with our free school meal parcels following school closures and – most importantly – what we’re doing to put things right."

–Robin Mills

Managing Director, Compass Group

 

Accusations of "Shameful Profiteering"

 

After images of meals began circulating on social media, the company was accused of not supplying the £30 worth of food that they were contracted to provide. A parent described the school meal provision as “utterly shameful profiteering” and the Department for Education confirmed that they were looking into the matter.

Chartwells confirmed shortly after in a statement that the food parcels had not met their "usual high standards" and that schools would be contacted to understand where any shortages may have occurred. 

The company then confirmed in a statement that they would provide free breakfasts to all children currently receiving a Chartwells lunch parcel from 25 January, for the duration of school closures.

The food parcels are designed to replace the usual £30 vouchers given to parents, to last for ten days.

Picture: a photograph provided by Chartwells showing a five day provision for one child

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 14 January 2021

Share



Related Articles

Free School Meals Contractor Accused of Profiteering 

Chartwells, the education catering arm of Compass Group, has been hit with accusations of profiteering after images of free school meals packages have been shared on...

 Read Full Article
Compass Group Awards Cleaner £10,000 for “Be A Star” Award

Jackie Kennedy, a cleaner who works for FM company 14forty, has won a £10,000 prize for her charity work. Jackie started collecting loose change she found while...

 Read Full Article
Apprenticeships in FM – What’s Available?

As new research suggests ambitious job creation targets in the green and clean sector could transform prospects for young people - what apprenticeship opportunities are...

 Read Full Article
Editorial Review | Free School Meals Supplier Controversy and Ethical Business Values

Join ThisWeekinFM's Editorial Team for their first monthly review of 2021. Daisy, Bailey and Ella discuss the free school meals supplier controversy,...

 Read Full Article
Chartwells Launches Partnership with Dame Kelly Holmes Trust

Chartwells, Compass Group UK & Ireland’s specialist provider of catering to the education sector, has announced a charity partnership with the Dame Kelly Holmes...

 Read Full Article
Atlas Wins Hard Services Contract With British Red Cross

Atlas has won a five-year contract to provide planned and reactive engineering maintenance services for the British Red Cross across the UK. The contract encompasses...

 Read Full Article
Andy Donnell Joins CoSourced Group

Andy Donnell, former MD at Westway and ABM, has returned to the facilities management industry after six years in semi-retirement. Andy is now the Non-executive...

 Read Full Article
Cleanology Prepares for Fourth Annual Hygiene Bank Fundraiser

After raising over £78,000 for The Hygiene Bank in its first three years, the Cleanology Hygiene Bank Charity Evening is returning for 2024. Held at Old Park...

 Read Full Article
Compass Group Finalises Deal to Acquire CH&CO

Compass Group UK & Ireland has completed the deal to acquire the catering company, CH&CO.  As part of the deal, catering brands Gather & Gather,...

 Read Full Article
Levy Extends Partnership With Sheffield United Football Club

Catering and hospitality company Levy UK + Ireland has extended its partnership with Sheffield United Football Club with a ten-year catering contract. Levy will...

 Read Full Article