Q&A: APETITO


sourcing. At apetito, we’re proud that 100% of the fish we use is sustainable, as specified by the Marine Conservation Society, and 100% of the wild fish we source is certified to the MSC’s standard for well-managed and sustainable fisheries. Ethical frameworks are also equally important. We have been members of the Ethical Trading Initiative since 2016 and only work with suppliers who agree to meet the conditions of the Ethical Trading Initiative base code.


How can schools create lower-carbon menus without compromising on nutrition, cost, quality or pupil enjoyment?


Creating lower-carbon menus doesn’t need to be complex or disruptive to mealtimes or pupil enjoyment. In many cases, it’s about making small, smart changes to the current offering.


Through our work introducing the first reduced carbon menus into the NHS, we have seen the powerful role that ‘nudge theory’ can play. By making subtle changes – often just swapping one or two dishes in a two-week menu cycle – it’s possible to reduce reliance on higher emitting red-meat dishes in favour of lower-carbon options like poultry, fish or plant-based meals. And the impact of these changes can be significant. This approach has delivered a 17% reduction in carbon emissions across main meals served to our healthcare customers – without increasing costs or affecting satisfaction.


Another approach that can help to create lower-carbon menus is choice architecture, referring to the way in which options are organised, presented, and framed, and how this structure influences their choices. We recently utilised choice architecture in our direct to customer business by designing a ‘Green Brochure’ which subtly encourages customers towards lower-carbon meal choices by simply adjusting product order and positioning. Through two separate trials, we have seen a 1.39% and 1.52% reduction in per unit emissions, which could deliver savings of more than 500 tonnes of CO2e per year.


Importantly, these changes can easily work in a school environment and do not compromise on what matters most; nutritional standards are maintained, menu choice is unaffected, and pupils can continue to enjoy the meals being served. This shows that schools don’t need to choose between sustainability and quality, as with the right approach, they can deliver both.


How do pre-prepared meal solutions help schools reduce food waste day-to- day?


Pre-prepared meal solutions give schools greater control over their food waste,


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moving kitchen operations to a more controlled, demand-led approach and removing some of the significant sources of hidden waste.


As meals are pre-portioned to deliver the right nutrition, kitchen teams can serve the right amount every time and avoid over- serving children, which can lead to a large amount of plate waste. It also helps teams cook the exact amount needed, reducing the risk of surplus food being left after service - all whilst ensuring children receive consistent, balanced meals that satisfy their appetite.


Raw ingredients are also a huge factor in food waste. With no need for on-site peeling and preparation there is very little preparation waste, and schools aren’t left trying to manage fresh stock spoiling before it’s even used. With frozen meals, schools benefit from a longer shelf life and greater flexibility, allowing them to store meals safely and use them when needed, reducing waste while preserving the nutritional quality of ingredients.


What steps is apetito taking to reduce its carbon emissions on the journey to Net Zero by 2040?


Alongside initiatives already mentioned, we’re taking further action across our operations to reduce emissions at scale and make meaningful progress towards our Net Zero ambitions.


For example, we recently significantly


expanded our onsite renewable energy generation through the installation of over 2800 solar panels at our manufacturing site in Wiltshire. This helps us now generate over 1.18 million kWh per year, saving approximately 245 tonnes of CO₂e each year. Alongside emissions reductions, this project also offers a quick, four-year payback period - showing how renewable energy can be both environmentally and financially viable. This may be a route for schools to explore, with some projects potentially supported through grants or external funding schemes.


Alongside the installation of solar panels, we have also transitioned our consumer delivery fleet, with 75% of rounds now completed by refrigerated electric vehicles and emissions reduced by over 1,100 tonnes of CO₂e annually.


We also operate a world-first, closed- loop recycling scheme that collects back used cPET meal trays from customers and turns them into brand-new trays here in the UK, creating a truly circular system for packaging. Since launching in 2021, the initiative has now recycled over 50 million trays, delivering significant carbon savings and helping to reduce waste at scale. The proven success of this scheme also helped us to secure changes to UK packaging policy, with EPR legislation now recognising and supporting effective closed-loop systems that are delivering real environmental benefit.


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