Cutting sugar delivers sweet growth for schools caterer
Catering firm Pabulum has added 27 new contracts worth over £15m in the past 12 months. The education specialist said wins had exceeded business growth targets by 24%.
Pabulum believes a commitment to reduce granular white sugar by 50% across its business played a part in landing the new contracts, many of which are five year deals. The company also began its first seven-year contract with Queens Park Community School in Brent, London last month.
It also believes that using 94% fresh food is both driving growth and consolidating a 93% retention rate.
While "incredibly proud" of the record year, managing director Nelson Williams said that the company would not rest on its laurels.
"You can never stand still in this business and we want to incrementally grow with high quality, longer-term new contact wins," he said. "But to me, the wins emphasise our two key differentiators: we are a fresh food company without compromise and strong commercial partners. We're pleased to be working with some truly excellent schools that share our vision when it comes to food and the health and wellbeing of young people."
He said the company's mission was "to create a fresh food culture within schools" hence creating all meals "on site, from scratch, using fresh, nutritionally balanced ingredients". Nelson believes that approach will "help inspire a lifelong love of fresh food in young people".
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