BGL Rieber is proud to support The School Food People’s National School Meals Week 2026
This year marks a very special milestone for the school food industry. National School Meals Week, organised by The School Food People and taking place from 9-13 November, celebrates 120 years of school meals, recognising the important role school lunches have played in nourishing generations of children since 1906.
At BGL Rieber, we’re delighted to support this year’s celebrations and recognise the thousands of dedicated people working behind the scenes to deliver nutritious, delicious and enjoyable meals to pupils across the UK.
Because school meals are about so much more than what’s on the plate.
“School meals have played an incredibly important role in communities for 120 years, and it’s fantastic to see the industry celebrating this milestone. While menus, technology and catering practices have changed significantly over the years, the importance of providing children with tasty and nutritious meals has never changed.
At BGL Rieber, we’re proud to support the people who make school meals happen every day. We understand the pressures school caterers face, and our aim is to provide reliable, innovative equipment and practical solutions that help make their jobs easier, whether that’s through food transportation, bulk cooking or efficient food service.
National School Meals Week is a great opportunity to recognise the dedication of everyone working in this industry. They’re making a real difference to children’s lives, and we’re delighted to play our part in supporting them.”
Jon Walker, Managing Director, BGL Rieber
120 years of progress, one shared purpose
Over the past 120 years, school meals have changed enormously. From traditional school dinners to today’s diverse menus, featuring fresh ingredients, international flavours and an increasing focus on nutrition and sustainability, school catering has continually evolved to meet the needs of children and young people.
But one thing has remained constant: the importance of providing meals that help children thrive.
Behind every successful school meal service is a hardworking team of catering professionals, supported by the right equipment, facilities and processes to make their demanding jobs that little bit easier.
That’s where BGL Rieber plays its part.
Supporting school caterers from kitchen to classroom
As a specialist supplier of professional foodservice equipment and systems, BGL Rieber understands the unique challenges faced by school catering teams.
Whether preparing hundreds or thousands of meals, transporting food between kitchens and dining areas, or serving pupils efficiently during busy lunch periods, having reliable, practical equipment is essential.
Our solutions are designed to support every stage of the school catering journey.
From our well-established Rieber Thermoport food transport systems, trusted by education caterers across the UK, to Metos combi kettles that provide versatile, high-capacity cooking solutions, we help schools and caterers deliver food safely, efficiently and consistently.
Our wider range of equipment includes:
- Food transportation and distribution systems – helping maintain food quality and temperature when meals need to travel from production kitchens to serving locations.
- Combi kettles and bulk cooking equipment – providing versatile solutions for preparing everything from sauces, soups and stews to pasta dishes, vegetables and traditional favourites.
- Front cooking and serving systems – bringing theatre-style cooking and fresh food preparation closer to the dining experience.
- Gastronorm containers and accessories – supporting efficient food preparation, storage, transportation and service.
It’s about understanding how school kitchens operate and providing solutions that help catering teams make the most of their time, space and resources.
Making a difference behind the scenes
School caterers work under increasing pressure to deliver high-quality meals while managing budgets, staffing challenges, food safety requirements and rising expectations.
The right equipment can make a real difference.
Efficient bulk cooking equipment can help streamline preparation, while dependable food transportation systems allow meals to be moved where they’re needed. Practical serving and distribution solutions can help keep lunchtime running smoothly, giving catering teams more time to focus on what matters most: the food and the children they’re serving.
Looking ahead to the next 120 years
National School Meals Week is an opportunity not only to celebrate the history of school meals, but also to recognise the importance of investing in their future.
As menus, technology and expectations continue to evolve, school kitchens will need innovative, reliable and adaptable equipment to meet the challenges ahead.
At BGL Rieber, we’re committed to supporting the education catering sector with practical solutions, industry knowledge and ongoing expertise – helping caterers prepare, transport and serve great food for years to come.
So, as The School Food People celebrates 120 years of school meals, we’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in making school lunches happen.
To the chefs, catering assistants, kitchen managers, suppliers and everyone working behind the scenes: your contribution matters.
Here’s to 120 years of school meals, the people who make them possible, and the next generation of school catering!
