Chartwells wins County Durham contract

Chartwells has won the contract to deliver catering services across 160 primary schools in County Durham. The substantive nine-year agreement will see the creation of a new community-facing brand that will fuel learning with nutritious and delicious food within primary settings.

North Eats will be embedded within the local community, says Chartwells, providing a living wage for employees working across the account. The aim is to also drive education and engagement with pupils, parents and the wider community through a programme of educational sessions and skills workshops.

Jim Murray, Durham County Council’s head of education and skills, said: “We know how important it is that our school children are provided with healthy and nutritious meals every day of the school term, helping them to stay focused throughout lessons. It is also encouraging that pupils, parents and members of the community will be learning more about all aspects of the food system through this new partnership.”

Charles Brown, managing director of Chartwells, added: “We take our role to educate and inform pupils and parents, as well as the local community, around all aspects of the food system incredibly seriously. This progressive partnership marks a fundamental step change in how caterers and local authorities can work collaboratively to drive positive social outcomes for local communities, while also tackling inequality and driving the levelling up agenda.”

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