Working predominantly within the education sector, my focus is simple: keep school food relevant, exciting, and on trend. That means developing new recipes, introducing fresh concepts, and supporting our teams on the ground to deliver food that pupils choose, enjoy and come back for.
But the reality is, encouraging healthier eating habits in schools isn’t straightforward.
Tight budgets often mean that healthier options are perceived as more expensive, leading many to fall back on familiar, less nutritious choices. At the same time, there’s a gap in nutrition education. Students don’t always understand how food impacts their energy, concentration, and overall wellbeing. Add to that the influence of social media, advertising, and habits formed at home, and you begin to see the scale of the challenge.
That’s why partnerships matter.
Driving Value with Bidfood
Our partnership with Bidfood plays a critical role in how we approach food, nutrition, and supply. Having access to high-quality, nutritionally balanced ingredients through a reliable supply chain gives our teams the confidence to plan menus effectively and consistently.
Beyond supply, Bidfood brings real expertise. Their range includes healthier options, allergen-controlled products, and specialist dietary solutions, allowing us to cater to diverse needs across our schools. More importantly, we work closely with their development chefs to stay ahead of trends and continuously improve what we offer.
A great example of this collaboration in action was our first-ever Angel Hill Live event. Bidfood played a pivotal role, engaging directly with our teams, sharing insights, and helping reinforce our brand standards. The result? Better-informed teams, stronger consistency across sites, and ultimately, a better experience for our customers.
Why We’re Backing ‘Bang In Some Beans’
The collaborative mindset is what led us to support Bidfood’s Bang In Some Beans campaign as a Keen Bean Pledger.
At its core, the campaign is about encouraging people to eat more beans for good reason. Beans are high in protein, rich in fibre, great for heart health, and significantly more sustainable than many animal-based foods. They also offer a cost-effective solution at a time when budgets, both at home and in schools, are under increasing pressure.
For us, it’s a natural fit. We’re always looking for ways to improve our offer and help our customers make healthier choices.
In practice, being a Keen Bean Pledger means integrating beans more widely across our menus. We’re expanding the range of bean-based ingredients available in our sites and developing fully costed recipes that make beans a seamless part of everyday dishes – from lasagnas and curries to pies and bakes.
Making Beans Work in Real Kitchens
Introducing healthier ingredients only works if they’re accepted, that’s where creativity comes in.
Our teams are bringing the campaign to life with dishes like Caribbean chicken and bean salad with orange and lime dressing, BBQ chicken and bean pizza wraps, and even chocolate butterbean brownies. The key is making beans feel like a natural part of the dish, rather than the headline.
In fact, one of the most effective approaches we’ve seen is to lead with the dish, not the ingredient. Pupils can be cautious about unfamiliar ingredients, so we focus on flavour, familiarity and dishes they already enjoy. Tasting tables allow them to try recipes before knowing exactly what’s in them, and the feedback has been incredibly positive. When beans are used well, pupils don’t question it, and dishes perform just as strongly as before.
Why Beans Matter Now More Than Ever
From a nutritional perspective, beans are a powerhouse. They support growth and development, aid digestion, and help maintain energy levels throughout the day. But just as importantly, they support our environmental goals.
Beans have a much lower carbon footprint than many animal-based proteins. By increasing their use, we’re not only improving diets but also reducing the overall environmental impact of our menus.
And in today’s climate, cost is a major factor. With ingredients like beef mince seeing significant price increases, beans offer a more affordable, sustainable alternative without compromising on taste or nutrition.
A Shift in Mindset
What’s been most rewarding is seeing how both our teams and pupils have embraced this shift. It’s proof that change is possible when it’s approached in the right way.
Personally, this campaign has changed how I think about food, not just professionally, but at home too. As a father, I’ve started introducing more beans into family meals, helping my own children build familiarity with them early on.
Looking Ahead
For schools and partners, the opportunity is clear: build on this momentum. Expand the role beans play across menus, continue helping pupils engage with healthier choices, and create more opportunities to make nutritious food appealing, familiar and easy to choose.
This is something we’re committed to pushing even further: developing new recipes, launching exciting pop-ups through our Goodness brand, and shaping a grab-and-go offer that reflects the high street, with better nutrition at its core.
Because ultimately, this is about more than just beans.
It is about supporting pupils to make healthier choices, expanding food education, and creating a school food culture that helps healthier habits take root.
