School meals in the hands of Skólamatur

The production and service of food for the nursery and primary schools in Hafnarfjörður was recently put out to tender. Two parties took part in the tender, but one withdrew its bid. The Town Board, on behalf of the Hafnarfjörður Town Council, approved at its meeting on 11 July to enter into a contract with Skólamat ehf. Mayor Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir and Axel Jónsson, owner of Skólamat ehf., signed a partnership agreement today.

The City of Hafnarfjörður has entered into an agreement with Skólamatur for the production and service of food for Hafnarfjörður's nursery and primary schools for 2019-2023, as Skólamatur has been providing this service since 1 November 2017. The contract period is four years, with provisions to extend twice for one year at a time if both parties wish. This means the maximum contract period can be six years from the date of signing. Skólamatur will provide meals for pupils and staff, as well as clearing up after each meal.

General satisfaction with service, quality and variety

According to the mayor, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, there has been general satisfaction with the quality of food and service from Skólamatur among those who use the service today. She is confident that the company will continue to meet the council's overall expectations for service, quality and the variety of meals. Hafnarfjörður has been a healthy community since an agreement was reached with the Office of the National Public Health Inspector in March 2015, and has since worked systematically to implement and develop new projects in cooperation with relevant parties.„ School Food knows our environment and priorities well and has, to date, been very receptive to new ideas and development projects that we have undertaken within, for example, the school community.“ says Rósa. This is how, for example, the nurseries in Hafnarfjörður operate under a new nutrition charter, cooking from standardised menus based on extensive analysis, nutritional calculations, and collaboration and consultation with the relevant parties. It has also been decided to introduce a pilot project with porridge and cod liver oil for breakfast into all of the municipality's primary schools, thus opening up the possibility for everyone to consume healthy, free food at the start of the school day. In parallel, a trial of a fruit and vegetable snack in the morning and an afternoon snack was conducted, which proved very successful, and therefore a subscription to such snacks will be offered within the school community from the autumn. „The Municipality of Hafnarfjörður regards it as one of its duties to ensure healthy nutrition in the municipality's schools. The introduction of a nutrition charter in the nurseries has therefore not only promoted a healthy diet and good eating habits, but the scheme has also simplified organisation and helped to reduce food waste, thereby protecting the environment. The municipality, with all its schools, institutions and households, is an important participant in building a healthy community. Healthy and good nutrition affects well-being and health and is important for everyone, especially for children who are growing and developing.“ says Rósa at the signing of the agreement today.