The Suffolk School Food Event

Friday 18th September

8.30-4

Hope Centre, 10 St Margaret's St, Ipswich IP4 2AT

In September 2026 we will see new guidance on school food published, with a far greater emphasis on healthy, nutritious food, food education and an accountability framework, that's been lacking in the guidance up until now. Out with fried foods, fizzy drinks and cakey puddings, and in with wholemeal bread and pasta, more fruit and vegetables and less processed meat and cheese based dishes.

At ASSET we've been on this journey over the last two years, as a child-led food project made us completely rethink how we approach the food we serve in our schools. We're still learning, and its not always straightforward. But we have met so many incredible people, organisations and initiatives along the way, that have helped us understand what's needed, and how to implement it successfully.

In the Suffolk School Food Event we're bringing all of those people and organisations - from national charities to food service providers, local charities and the public sector, with all of their brilliant advice, best practice and services under one roof, so that schools, colleges and MATs in Suffolk can attend for free, and get the best start in implementing the new school food standards.

Health outcomes for children in Suffolk and across England are really perplexing. It's time to stand up and play our part in this fundamental aspect of children's education. If you are responsible for what children eat in your school or college, join us on 18th September, and be part of a new era in school food provision for children in Suffolk.

Agenda

8.00-9.00 Registration

9-9.45 Welcome and opening keynote

9.45-10.15 Workshop 1

10.15-10.45 Networking break and exhibitors

10.45-11.30 Workshop 2

11.30-12.15 Workshop 3

12.15-1.15 Networking lunch and exhibitors

1.15-2.30 Workshop 4

2.30-3.30 Final keynotes

3.30-4 Closing networking and exhibitors

4pm Event close

Workshops

Smashing the stigma of school dinners: how to persuade parents and children of a quality, exciting offer
Understanding the new school food standards
In-house or contract caterer - how to choose?
Overcoming sensory barriers - empowering children beyond beige, hyper-palatable food
Inclusive food - creating inclusive menus, managing medical needs and implementing Benedict's Law
Upskilling kitchen teams
Chasing rosettes - towards a Michelin standard of school kitchen excellence
The Whole School Approach - getting your whole community on board
The challenges of staffing - finding new talent, supporting young careers and managing absence
Using social media - comms campaigns to excite parents about nutritioius school meals
Nutrition and children's outcomes in Suffolk
What kids really want to eat
Sustainability and food waste
Plus more to follow....

Exhibitors

National charities from School Food Matters and beyond

Local charities working in the healthy eating, food education, food poverty and SEND space

Local food suppliers

National companies that support food procurement, compliance etc

Contract caterers

Public Health Suffolk

Youth Hack

Watch this space - we've applied for funding to run a youth hack in the building alongside the conference for young people to have their say on school food in Suffolk schools and colleges. If we're successful in making this happen we'll be reaching out to schools and colleges to bring young people along, and we'll hear what they have to say in the closing keynotes.

Would you like to exhibit?

We are taking bookings now from exhibitors - book your space here.

Charities may exhibit for free, and we make a small charge to profit making businesses, with the option to deliver a 20 minute workshop presentation.

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