What's New
Eat Them to Defeat Them 2026
Shire Services is delighted to be supporting the award‑winning Eat Them to Defeat Them campaign once again in 2026, helping more children to develop positive, long‑lasting relationships with vegetables both at school and at home.
This year, we would like to say a huge thank you to one of our valued suppliers, Wenlock Spring, who are proudly sponsoring several of our schools to take part in the campaign. Their support will enable even more children across our school community to benefit from this fun and engaging initiative.
The Eat Them to Defeat Them programme, created by Veg Power, is designed to boost vegetable consumption through exciting tasting sessions, pupil challenges and take‑home resources. Children are encouraged to try a wider range of vegetables using reward charts and participation stickers, helping to build confidence and enthusiasm around healthy food choices.
In 2024, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Harlech Foodservice, and The UK Foodhall, several of our schools were able to take part in the campaign. Their support helped us to provide valuable materials for children to take home, sparking conversations about healthy eating with families and extending the impact of the campaign beyond the school day - particularly in communities where support is needed most.
Sponsorship plays a vital role in the success of Eat Them to Defeat Them, allowing us to reach more schools, provide high‑quality resources, and ensure children have access to positive, enjoyable food experiences that encourage healthier habits for life.
A very big thank you to Wenlock Spring, Harlech Foodservice, and The UK Foodhall for helping us to make a real difference to children’s health and wellbeing through this fantastic campaign.
Shire Services Wins National Award for Sustainable School Catering
Shire Services has achieved Bronze accreditation from the ProVeg School Plates Awards, recognising our commitment to healthy, planet-friendly menus across Shropshire, North Wales, Worcestershire, and the West Midlands.
Following October half term, we launched a new menu in partnership with ProVeg UK, featuring tasty, nutritionally balanced plant-based dishes that help reduce carbon emissions and support children’s health.
Alex Jemison, School Plates Awards Coordinator at ProVeg UK, said: “We’re thrilled to acknowledge the great work Shire Services is doing to create healthier and more sustainable menus. They’re not only improving children’s health, they’re also protecting their future. In the midst of a global climate crisis, reducing food emissions has never been more pressing, so it’s heartwarming to see how much effort and care has gone into this wonderful example of a more climate-friendly, delicious menu.”
The School Plates Awards celebrate caterers who make meaningful changes towards sustainable menus. ProVeg UK works with over 95 partners, covering 8,000 schools nationwide.
Shropshire Good Food Partnership
We’re proud members of the Shropshire Good Food Partnership (SGFP) - a county‑wide movement working to build a fairer, healthier and more sustainable local food system. By supporting the Good Food Charter, we join more than 350 partners across Shropshire who are committed to good food that benefits people, place and planet.
As part of this partnership, we contribute to initiatives that:
- strengthen local food resilience,
- champion sustainably produced ingredients,
- reduce food waste through community collaboration, and
- support schools in developing environmentally responsible food habits.
SGFP is also part of the national Sustainable Food Places network, helping drive positive change in communities across the UK. Our involvement reflects Shire Services’ long‑standing commitment to sustainability, local partnerships and delivering food that supports both children’s health and the environment.
National School Meals Week (NSMW)
Last November we again took part in National School Meals Week (NSMW), a nationwide celebration of healthy, nutritious school meals. Throughout the week, children enjoyed fun activities and resources (with a Shire Services twist!) to help them learn about healthy eating, nutrition, and the importance of school meals.
We encouraged all children to join in, try a school meal, and enjoy the activities.
School meals are a great way for children to learn healthy habits, stay full and focused for learning, and support our school community.
Shire Services Commemorates 80 Years of VE Day
Earlier in 2024, we proudly marked the 80th anniversary of VE Day, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who served during the Second World War.
Schools across Shropshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, North Wales, and the West Midlands, supported by Shire Services, took part, ensuring this historic occasion was celebrated with respect and enthusiasm. Two schools in particular hosted distinguished guests for the occasion.
Special Guests at The Meadows Primary School, Oswestry
At The Meadows Primary School in Oswestry, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner, and her husband, Jonathon, were warmly welcomed by Headteacher Mrs Morris, alongside Shire Services representatives, Lauren Moore (Area Manager), Claire Downing (Contract Manager), and Victoria Jones (Marketing Manager).
The Lieutenancy has a long and significant history, dating back to its establishment by Henry VIII in 1540. While originally overseen by the Lord-Lieutenant of Wales, Shropshire has had its own Lord-Lieutenant since the Restoration.
During the visit, the guests was given a tour of the school and spoke with several pupils in their classrooms. The Lord-Lieutenant was met with great enthusiasm, as pupils eagerly shared stories of their great-grandfathers and other relatives who had been involved in the war, along with their knowledge of wartime history and the military.
The visitors then joined pupils in the playground for a two-minute silence, honouring the sacrifices of those who served. Following this, the Lord-Lieutenant and her husband queued up alongside pupils and visitors in the dining hall to enjoy a special VE Day lunch featuring battered fish fillet with chips, bread and butter, mushy peas and sweetcorn, followed by VE Day Anniversary Cupcakes or jelly pots with sprinkles. She sat with guests and pupils to enjoy the commemorative meal together.
Anna Turner expressed her appreciation for the day, stating, “Thank you for organising yesterday, both Jonathon and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit. It is a very nice school with such well-mannered and lovely children.”
Julia Buckley MP Visits Mount Pleasant Primary School, Shrewsbury
At Mount Pleasant Primary School in Shrewsbury, Julia Buckley MP and her colleague, Joe Dean, were welcomed by Headteacher Mrs Benj, along with Shire Services staff, Susan Vuli (General Manager), Becky White (Contract Manager), Kate Bevan Wood (Special Projects - Menu Planning Co-ordinator), and Liz Flack (Marketing Assistant).
During the tour, Julia Buckley and Mrs Benj discussed various educational topics, including SEN provision. They then joined pupils for the same celebratory VE Day lunch served at The Meadows.
Excited by the presence of their special guest, pupils eagerly asked Julia Buckley for her autograph, which she signed on newsletters she had brought with her. She also took a photo beside her official portrait as local MP.
Julia Buckley shared her thoughts on the event, saying: "It was a pleasure to meet the children and their teachers during my visit. They had made a huge effort to decorate and celebrate VE Day together, and it was great fun to share the occasion with the school community."
Shire Services’ Role in the Celebrations
Both schools extended a warm welcome, and our kitchen teams and the school staff went above and beyond, beautifully decorating the dining halls and preparing a delicious VE Day lunch.
We express our gratitude to all involved, especially the pupils, whose energy and enthusiasm made the commemoration truly memorable.
