Sweet Success for Contract Caterer, Holroyd Howe

Contract caterer to roll out new sugar reduction programme after pilot success.

Independent school caterer, Holroyd Howe, will launch a nationwide sugar reduction programme across its client schools from April 2015. The Half Measures Campaign will see this leading contract caterer for the independent school sector take a positive stand against the spiralling health crisis facing our youngest generations.

The latest Public Health England statistics show that around 1 in 5 children in reception year is overweight or obese, and by year 6 this figure reaches around 1 in 3*. Aware of this crisis, Holroyd Howe has over the last 12 months, developed an effective approach to battling high levels of sugar consumption, by introducing aHalf Measuresinitiative at More House School in Surrey.

Executive Chef, Matt Potts spent six months developing the concept, experimenting with regularly used recipes by cutting their sugar content in half and trialling them in the school dining hall. Researching the sugar content levels in recipes over the years, Matt discovered that we have continually increased the amount of sugar we use, to satisfy the nation's sweet tooth.

Matt comments:

"We live in a world of refinement, not invention. I often studied government and various companies' nutritional guidelines and realized that the biggest drug for children (sugar) is allowed to be unregulated across UK schools. This needs to be refined immediately, and Half Measures is setting the standards which I am certain others will follow."

The pilot has exceeded all expectations, with pupils not noticing any difference in taste or texture in the desserts they ate. Indeed the pilot school now uses 50% less sugar in all school desserts, resulting in a saving of three quarters of a tonne of sugar each year. A recent school survey revealed 99% of pupils are happy with the change, and the remaining 1% are only unhappy because they want bigger puddings! 

The money saved has also been pumped back into the business, and used to buy produce such as fresh leafy green vegetables that are incorporated into popular sauces, and ingredients to replace sugary cereals with homemade healthy alternatives.

Both the Senior Management team at Holroyd Howe, and Headmaster at More House School, are delighted with the initiative and have enjoyed being the trailblazers for such a positive step towards healthier eating.

Headmaster of More House School, Barry Huggett OBE, comments:"Whilst it is impossible to generalise as the children are very well behaved, it is noticeable that where there is an opportunity to take sugar in tea or coffee, they are automatically taking less since the start of the initiative. Rated an "outstanding" school by Ofsted, we know that the cater- ing arrangements are "outstanding" as well, and the diverse and exciting menu has been enhanced by this sensible initiative."

The new scheme has been a sweet success for everyone concerned, and the national rollout of the Half Measures programme into all of Holroyd Howe's client schools will begin in April 2015.
 
Images and logos available here 

Matt Potts, Chef, More House School (Holroyd Howe)

Half Measures Chocolate Pots

 *Ref: http://www.noo.org.uk/securefiles/150303_1144//ChildWeight_Aug2014_v2.pdf

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Notes to Editors 

Holroyd Howe is one of the UK's leading contract caterers, providing an outstanding service to schools in the independent sector.

Since 1997, Holroyd Howe has been committed to providing fresh food, served by well-trained people who really care. They approach food service with a simple, no fuss attitude, using the best British ingredients. Nothing processed, nothing added - just delicious, honest food everyday.