A Food Strategy that is bespoke for you
We understand that each school has its own specific needs and as such, our menus are written for each individual client with this in mind. It is important that the food we create is not only healthy and nutritious but is also food which students want to eat!
Healthy food and good nutrition are the heart of what we do at Pollen. Freshly cooked and served by our trained teams of Chefs, using seasonal ingredients that are sourced locally, which ensures students enjoy nourishing food. The students we cook for are subjected to lots of influences from both celebrities and social media which has a huge impact on their diet and lifestyles. We have noticed in recent years, children and school staff becoming flexitarian, vegetarian and vegan – we are very mindful of these diets, and we ensure we focus on this to increase our options to suit all tastes.
Allergies are very common in our society, and we ensure ALL our staff are trained to the highest levels and our catering teams provide safe and enjoyable meals. We ensure we can accommodate a variety of food intolerances and are always available to help and advise parents/carers with any issues they wish to discuss.
Sustainability is high on our agenda, and we encourage the development of Pupil Food Committees wherever we work so that we can all work together to make a difference. How our food is packed, where it comes from and what we eat are concerns we all have and here at Pollen we are eager to educate and change.
We work hard to avoid food wastage and where possible turn any waste into compost which we in turn use when growing our herb gardens at each site.
When planning our menus, we take into account;
Essential for a healthy gut so we include whole grains, vegetables, fruit and legumes into our menus. These foods provide prebiotic fibres that nourish the beneficial bacteria in your gut.
Probiotic rich foods such as yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir and miso benefit everyone’s diet. These food contain live beneficial bacteria that help maintain a healthy balance in your gut microbiome.
Processed foods often lack fibre and contain additives that can disrupt gut health. Therefore we limit the provision of these foods and opt for whole, unprocessed foods for our menus instead.
We include a variety of foods to ensure a diverse gut microbiome in our menus. Different foods contain different types of fibre and nutrients that support overall gut health. In our menus we will often experiment with different fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein sources to provide a wide range of nutrients to your gut.
Herbs & spices not only add flavour but also provide additional health benefits. In our menu we include herb and spices which have anti-inflammatory and digestive properties, such as ginger, turmeric, garlic and cinnamon.
We encourage all our guest to practice mindful eating by chewing food thoroughly and eating slowly. This aids proper digestion and nutrient absorption. It also allows you toe savour the flavour and enjoy the meal more fully.
