School Meals and Catering at St. Aidan’s

Aspens Catering Services is very proud to be the appointed contract caterer at St. Aidan’s School.

                                                 

Aspens say:

We are always in the mood
for good food!

We only work in the education sector, so we know what our customers want.

 

Mixing this knowledge with an understanding of what’s hot in the food world, sparks creativity and excitement in our fantastic chefs.

You can be sure of seeing some innovative dishes on our menus along with the traditional favourites you’d expect.

Our team has been brought together because we all share our values, we all have the experience needed and are dedicated to make sure that we deliver the very best service to our customers.

Making great school food memories

Our kitchens provide delicious home cooked food each day and cater for individual dietary requirements.

We want everyone who eats with us to look forward to their mealtimes, love what they have to eat and then have the energy for everything else that the day has to offer.

We don’t just provide food, we play our part to educate children and raise awareness about nutrition, food and where it comes from, so that they can make informed and mindful choices.

Aspens Menus

Updated: 02/09/2024 77 KB
Updated: 02/09/2024 77 KB
Updated: 02/09/2024 77 KB

Dinner money charges

Unfortunately due to rising costs we are having to increase our dinner prices from £2.41 to £2.70 per day, £13.50 per week. This is effective from Tuesday 3rd September 2024. 

Free School Meals

/files/PP-FSM_Eligibility_ltr.pdf

If you require further information regarding free school meals please contact our school office.

Or you can find further information on the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council website with details of how to apply please follow the link below:-

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-meals

Pizza making with Aspens

 

                                     

Congratulations to Cath our school cook at St. Aidan's, for winning a gold Recipe 4 Health award! This prestigious award recognises food businesses that prioritise healthy eating, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility. Cath and her team's dedication to providing nutritious and delicious meals for our pupils is truly commendable.

Thank you ladies, we are very lucky to have you!!

What to include in your child's lunchbox

A healthier lunchbox should:

  • be based on starchy carbohydrates (bread, potatoes, rice, pasta)
  • include fresh fruit and vegetables/salad
  • include a source of protein such as beans and pulses, eggs, fish, meat, cheese (or dairy alternative)
  • include a side dish such as a low-fat and lower-sugar yoghurt (or dairy alternative), tea cake, fruit bread, plain rice/corn cakes, homemade plain popcorn, sugar-free jelly
  • include a drink such as water, skimmed or semi-skimmed milk, sugar-free or no-added-sugar drinks

The Eatwell Guide provides a visual representation of a healthy balanced diet. It can help you choose nutritious options for your child's lunchbox.

For more healthy lunchbox ideas, check out Better Health

 

Important Notice: St. Aidan's is a Nut-Free School 

To ensure the safety of all our students, St Aidan's is a nut-free school. This means that no nut products should be brought into the school premises.

Please be aware that even traces of nuts can cause severe allergic reactions in some individuals. Therefore, it's crucial to avoid bringing any items that may contain nuts, such as:

  • Nuts and seeds: Almonds, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pistachios, and sunflower seeds.
  • Nut butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, and hazelnut butter.
  • Nut oils: Peanut oil, almond oil, and walnut oil.
  • Nut-derived ingredients: These can be found in many processed foods, including cookies, cakes, candies, and sauces.

Thank you for your co-operation in helping us maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment for all our pupils.

Lunchbox tips

 

Keep them fuller for longer

Base the main lunchbox item on foods like bread, rice, pasta and potatoes. Choose wholegrain where you can.

 

Freeze for variety

Keep a small selection of different types of bread in the freezer so you have a variety of options – like bagels, pittas and wraps and wholemeal.

 

DIY lunches

Wraps and pots of fillings can be more exciting for kids when they get to make them. Dipping foods are also fun and a nice change from a sandwich each day.


 

Cut back on fat

Pick lower-fat fillings – like lean meats (including chicken or turkey), fish (such as tuna or salmon), lower-fat spread, reduced-fat cream cheese and reduced-fat hard cheese. And try to avoid using mayonnaise in sandwiches.

See more healthier swap ideas

 

Mix your slices

If your child does not like wholegrain, try making a sandwich from 1 slice of white bread and 1 slice of brown bread.

 

Always add veg

Cherry tomatoes, or sticks of carrot, cucumber, celery and peppers all count towards their 5 A Day. Adding a small pot of reduced-fat hummus or other dips may help with getting kids to eat vegetables.

 

Ever green

Always add salad to sandwiches and wraps too – it all counts towards your child's 5 A Day!

 

Cheesy does it…

Cheese can be high in fat and salt, so choose stronger-tasting ones – and use less of it – or try reduced-fat varieties.

 

Cut down on crisps

If your child really likes their crisps try reducing the number of times you include them in their lunchbox, and swap for homemade plain popcorn or plain rice cakes instead.

 

Add bite-sized fruit

Try chopped apple, peeled satsuma segments, strawberries, blueberries, halved grapes or melon slices to make it easier for them to eat. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to stop it from going brown.

 

Tinned fruit counts too

A small pot of tinned fruit in juice – not syrup – is perfect for a lunchbox and easily stored in the cupboard.

 

Swap the fruit bars

Dried fruit like raisins, sultanas and dried apricots are not only cheaper than processed fruit bars and snacks but can be healthier too. Just remember to keep dried fruit to mealtimes as it can be bad for teeth.

Switch the sweets

Swap cakes, chocolate, cereal bars and biscuits for malt loaf, fruited teacakes, fruit breads or fruit (fresh, dried or tinned – in juice not syrup).

 

Yoghurts: go low-fat and lower-sugar

Pop in low-fat and lower-sugar yoghurts or fromage frais and add your own fruit.

 

 

Get them involved

Get your kids involved in preparing and choosing what goes in their lunchbox. They are more likely to eat it if they helped make it.

 

Variety is the spice of lunch!

Be adventurous and get creative to mix up what goes in their lunchbox. Keeping them guessing with healthier ideas will keep them interested and more open to trying things.