Cover Story - Advertising feature


Catering with confidence: building resilience through budget stability


Richard Woodward, general manager of care homes for apetito, explains how predictable catering costs allow managers more time to focus on resident-centred care


This year’s turbulent economic climate has hit the health and social care sector harder than most. Care homes have been under increasing


pressure to maintain standards and continue delivering high-quality care, while battling with rising food inflation and energy costs, staffing shortages, and unpredictable supply chains. And this shows no sign of slowing down as


recent figures on food inflation adds further pressures in catering. In August, we saw food inflation increase to 4.2 per cent year-on- year – the fastest growth seen since early 2024 – with reasons cited by the British Retail Consortium as high demand, tightening supply and increased labour costs. Inflation-driven cost increases across


food, utilities, and wages have all turned monthly budgeting into a guessing game, and risk unstable care provisions.


Serving stability Budget consistency is not just about balancing spreadsheets – it is about care stability. If homes can forecast their catering costs with confidence, they unlock benefits that enhances the care provided to residents. Better financial planning helps care


homes deliver a meal offering that supports resident health and wellbeing and improves their overall dining experience. This is through providing consistent meal quality and variety and making sure there is always an option available for every dietary need and preference. This stability also helps with regular menu planning, which is particularly important


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Volume 10 Issue 9 October 2025


CARE HOME


ENVIRONMENT www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


Catering with confidence: building resilience through budget stability


Loveday Esher: “we don’t believe in mediocrity”


Winter pressures and future opportunities


for residents living with cognitive decline or dementia, allowing homes to regularly offer familiar flavours that residents love. We all know that food is more than


just fuel – it is the cornerstone of resident wellbeing, with mealtimes being one of the most important parts of the day. Not only does it serve as the time to eat food that nourishes the body, but it also provides the opportunity for social interactions and engagement. Therefore, with a high importance


placed on the dining experience in care, it is important that care home teams do not compromise. Alongside consistency of meals, the


benefits of ‘knowing your costs’ can also be seen within staff morale and the mobilisation of reliable operations. Better budgeting often results in fewer last-minute changes that can result in a high-pressured environment for kitchen teams, and it also allows easier planning for staff training and development. In short, more predictable costs allow


managers more time to focus on the most important aspect – excellent resident-centred care – rather than crisis management.


Simplifying mealtimes with fixed costs In recent years, the introduction of fixed pricing has already revolutionised how we manage our utility bills – transforming uncertainly into control. By locking in predictable costs, households can better plan their monthly expenses and be shielded from unexpected spikes in energy prices. So, why stop there? The same proven


6 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com October 2025


THE


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