Primary School Catering Across the North of England
Fresh, balanced meals that help children thrive
Orian Solutions provides primary school catering across Cumbria, Lancashire, Yorkshire and the North East, delivering freshly prepared meals designed to support learning, health and enjoyment. Our approach is simple: nutritious food, prepared on site wherever possible, served by teams who understand the importance of making mealtimes positive and welcoming.
We support schools in Carlisle, Kendal, Penrith, Lancaster, Preston, Blackburn, Darlington and Newcastle, offering menus that appeal to younger pupils while meeting national nutritional guidelines.
Balanced Nutrition and Variety
Why our approach to primary school catering works
Young children need meals that balance nutrition, familiarity and variety. Our menus are carefully created to offer dishes that pupils recognise, alongside opportunities to try new flavours in a safe and encouraging setting.
We work closely with head teachers, governors and parents to ensure menus reflect local preferences and dietary needs.
Fresh Meals
Our catering priorities
Fresh ingredients
- Fruit and vegetables sourced from Northern suppliers
- Freshly cooked meals prepared each day
- Seasonal produce used wherever possible
Balanced nutrition
- Low salt and low sugar recipes
- Lean proteins, wholegrains and plant-based options
- Menus aligned to School Food Standards
Inclusive menus
- Allergen awareness and safe labelling
- Vegetarian and vegan options
Strong Relationships
A week in an Orian primary school kitchen
Our kitchens run as part of the school community. Many of our catering teams have worked in their local schools for years, building strong relationships with pupils and staff.
Typical daily routines include:
- Preparing fresh ingredients before the school day begins
- Cooking hot meals ranging from traditional favourites to themed dishes
- Serving meals with a friendly, supportive approach
- Managing allergen checks and safe service flow
- Cleaning down and preparing for the next day
This structure ensures lunchtime runs smoothly and safely, even in busy primary environments.
Key Areas
Four pillars of our primary school service
Health
Menus planned with nutrition advisers to support cognitive development and growth.
Variety
Daily choices including hot meals, vegetarian dishes and fresh sides.
Education
Tasting events, theme days and food learning activities.
Community
Local sourcing and strong relationships with families and school staff.
Local Supply
Working with local suppliers across the region
To keep food fresh and support the communities we serve, we work with suppliers across:
- Cumbria including Carlisle, Workington, Whitehaven and Kendal
- Lancashire including Preston, Lancaster, Chorley and Blackburn
- Yorkshire including Skipton, Harrogate and Leeds
- The North East including Durham, Darlington and Newcastle
These partnerships help reduce food miles and deliver consistent quality.
Accessible Space
School Hub
The School Hub is a simple, accessible space where parents and school teams can find the latest menus, nutrition information and updates from the school kitchen. It helps families understand what children are eating each day and supports schools in promoting positive food habits.
Designed to be easy to use and regularly updated, the Hub gives parents confidence in allergen information, menu choices and upcoming events. It also helps children engage with food by making mealtimes more visible and encouraging discussion at home.
School Hub
What the School Hub includes
Menus
- Weekly menus
- Seasonal changes
- Theme days
Nutrition
- Allergen details
- Ingredient information
- Healthy eating guidance
Support
- Free school meals information
- Tips for families
- Kitchen news and updates
Food Education
Supporting pupils beyond the plate
Food plays a vital role in a child’s early development. We help schools embed healthier habits through food education, tasting sessions and themed menus that encourage curiosity.
Examples of our engagement activities:
- Classroom sessions on food origins and nutrition
- Seasonal events such as Harvest, British Food Fortnight and cultural celebration days
- Collaboration with teachers to support curriculum themes
- Workshops that encourage children to explore new ingredients
These activities turn mealtimes into learning opportunities.
Catering Services For Schools
Serving primary schools across the North of England
Orian delivers primary school catering services for maintained schools, academies and multi-academy trusts. Our regional structure ensures schools receive reliable support, consistent service and direct communication with local managers.
We currently support schools across Carlisle, Penrith, Kendal, Preston, Blackburn, Bradford, Skipton, Durham and Newcastle.
