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Food Explorers

Every Food Explorer menu is made up of tasty dishes packed full of nutrients, with each meal offering Food Explorers at least 3 of their 5 a day.

Our theme days  offer lots of new flavours to explore and include competitions for pupils to win Food Explorer prizes.

Most of our schools will offer three choices of a Food Explorer hot main meal, including a vegetarian or vegan option, a selection of  pasta pots, jacket potatoes or a sandwich.

Every Food Explorer is offered vegetables, side salad, bread and drinking water with their main meal. For dessert, fresh fruit and yoghurt is offered as an alternative to the homemade dessert of the day.

Our menus...

Our menus are on a three-week cycle and change every six months; after the Easter holidays to our Spring/Summer menu and after October half-term to our Autumn/Winter menu.

Autumn Winter Menu November 2025 - March 2026 

Menus are planned to comply to the current School Food Standards.

We endeavour to serve food as specified on the menu. However, there are some circumstances when this isn’t possible. You can be assured that these instances will be kept to an absolute minimum. 

 Autumn Winter Standard Menu

School Food Standards

Allergen Matrices & Nutritional Reports 

Explore our Primary School Autumn/Winter Standard Menu Allergen Matrices for Weeks 1 to 3 using the links below:

Allergen Matrix, Week 1 - Autumn Winter Menu 1
Allergen Matrix, Week 2 - Autumn & Winter Menu 2
Allergen Matrix, Week 3 - Autumn & Winter Menu 3

To request the latest nutritional report, please contact the catering team

Theme Days: 

To coincide with our menu, monthly Food Explorer theme days promotions are organised. 

The special theme days are developed to correspond with the Food Explorer brand or national events. The promotions aim to spark children's curiosity and encourage conversations, whilst providing enjoyment for pupils of all ages. 

Theme Day Promotions 

Bonfire Bonanza 2025
A fun and festive theme day celebrating the spirit of Bonfire Night! 

Festive Fun 2025
A magical lunchtime full of sparkles, smiles and Christmas fun!

Christmas Party 2025
A special lunchtime celebration with a Traditional Christmas Dinner.

Then & Now January 2026 (Coming Soon)
We're kicking off a year of celebrations for 120 years of school meals with a special theme day full of fun and smiles!

Winter Olympics February 2026
Celebrate the Olympics with a taste of Italy - OUr Italian Theme Day brings the spirit of the sport and culture together!

World Book Day Theme Poster March 2026
World Book Day is a magical lunchtime adventure where stories come to life and eveyone celebrates the joy of reading together!