Industry News Premier Hospitality

School Meals Across the Country Set for a Major Shake-Up

Aspire Executive Lounges, Swissport's global airport hospitality brand, has joined the British Institute of Hospitality, the world’s leading and award-winning membership body for hospitality professionals. Aspire Executive Lounges becomes the first business partner from the airport lounge hospitality sector to join the Institute of Hospitality. Aspire Executive Lounges, the fast-growing Swiss brand in the airport hospitality business, has joined the British Institute of Hospitality (IoH), the world’s leading membership body for professionals working and studying in the hospitality leisure and tourism industry. Aspire Executive Lounges is the first business from the airport lounge sector to become a member of IoH. The collaboration will foster an exchange of expertise and insights: IoH will benefit from Aspire's expertise in airport hospitality, while Aspire, by sharing its wealth of experience with IoH members, can extend its professional network to the hotel and catering sectors and hospitality management schools. “Our vision for Aspire Executive Lounges is clear and simple: We want to deliver a guest experience that is similar to what our guests are used to from their preferred hotels, meeting the needs and exceeding the expectations of today’s travelers,” says David Collyer, Global Vice President of Executive Lounges at Swissport International AG. “We strive to deliver an unparalleled experience and set a benchmark that transcends our industry, redefining excellence across the hospitality sector. The Institute of Hospitality is a great network to exchange insights and experiences, and to learn from others in the hospitality sector, which will help us bring our vision to life.” Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality: “Our aspiration at the Institute of Hospitality has been to develop and grow our membership, the number of countries we operate in, and the number of hospitality sectors represented within our organization. With that in mind, it is a natural partnership for us to welcome Aspire into our family, and to learn from their teams, who serve travelers with passion and dedication. As two organizations with similar values, we look forward to collaborating in promoting high levels of excellence within our profession.” With over 30 years of experience, Aspire Executive Lounges is Europe’s largest brand in the airport lounges sector. In 2023, Swissport welcomed more than five million customers worldwide at over 69 lounges in 20 countries. The airport hospitality brand recently opened new lounges at Toronto City Airport in Canada, and Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in Finland. Aspire Executive Lounges recently created a new lounge concept in partnership with the airline alliance oneworld. The first oneworld branded lounge was launched at Incheon Airport in Seoul, Korea, in December 2023. Aspire Executive Lounges is owned by Swissport International AG, the global leader in aviation services, serving airlines at 286 airports in 44 countries across 6 continents
Written by Amy

New campaign to improve children’s health, help save the planet and ease the school budget

Imagine if schools across the UK could improve the health of their pupils, help save the planet and save money – all at the same time. ‘School Plates’, a new campaign by food awareness organisation ProVeg UK, aims to do just that.

Working with schools, local authorities and catering companies, ProVeg UK is calling for five small changes to menus to increase children’s intake of healthy plant-based foods.

Director of ProVeg UK, Jimmy Pierson, said:Plant-based foods are mostly cheaper, and that is great news for schools whose budgets are tightening. They’re healthy and good for pupils in both the short and long-term as well as helping the environment and therefore protecting the future for everyone. We call this a win-win-win-win.

“We’re starting with relatively minor, easy-to-implement tweaks, but these can make a big difference in so many ways. Schools can deliver these benefits by simply offering a bean burger over a beef burger, or a cassoulet over a casserole – and we can help them every step of the way.”

ProVeg UK is offering training from expert plant-based chefs who never compromise on taste; the services of a nutritionist to ensure that meals are balanced, wholesome and healthy; and a scientist who can measure the climate emissions savings – all free of charge.

There are many reasons why children should eat more plants. Increasing fruit and veg consumption can help address some of the nation’s biggest health concerns including childhood obesity, which the World Health Organisation regards as one of the most important challenges of the 21st century.

Schools can also play an integral role in encouraging pupils to establish healthy eating habits from an early age, and plant-based meals are suitable for almost everyone, whatever faith and whatever their dietary requirements.

Derek Sarno is Chef and Director of Plant-Based Innovation for Tesco PLC, for whom he recently introduced a range of plant-based ready meals under the Wicked Healthy brand he co-founded. He contributed to the School Plates campaign report, and said: “Food is powerful, empowering, and over time can promote or destroy good health in both our bodies and the environment. I make plants the centre of every meal, and I think the five recommendations in ProVeg UK’s campaign are a great starting point.”

ProVeg UK is currently looking for more schools, teachers, parents, local authorities and catering companies interested in taking part in the School Plates campaign. Please contact schools@proveg.com for more information and to get involved

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Amy