Why choose Fresha for your HAF programme catering?

Fresha Catering works closely with Devon County Council and numerous providers who run The Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme across Devon.

During Summer 2024, the Fresha team have been producing over 1000 meals a week, working with 13 activity providers located mainly around the Exeter area, but also including activities in Crediton, Sidmouth, Honiton to name a few.

All the children eligible for the scheme receive a hot main course lunch such as delicious roast dinners, pasta bake, meatballs, homity pie, enchiladas with vegetable sides and a tasty dessert across the week – and the children have absolutely loved their lunches so far.

Download a Sample Menu

Lunch times at the HAF centre are not only a time for the children to fill their tummies after a busy morning, but it’s also a fantastic opportunity for them to:

  • Improve communication skills through opportunities to interact with others.
  • Encourage positive, social behaviour.
  • Gain an understanding about healthy eating and good food habits. Including the importance of putting rubbish in the bin, recycling and tidying up.

Read more here about local provision in Devon: https://www.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/family-support/haf-programme/ and the news item about Summer 2024 here: Get ready for a summer of funded exciting activities and enriching experiences! – News (devon.gov.uk)

Overview of the HAF Programme

The Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme Holiday activities and food programme 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning.

The HAF programme funding is primarily for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits related free school meals.

Since 2022, the HAF programme has provided 10.7 million HAF days to children and young people in this country. The expansion of the programme year-on-year has meant a total of 5.4 million HAF days provided between Christmas 2022, Easter and summer 2023.

The Department for Education (DfE) funded holiday activities and food (HAF) programme aims to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.

Food provision

All providers must provide at least one meal a day (breakfast, lunch or an evening meal) and all food provided at HAF clubs (including snacks) must meet school food standards.

All food provided as part of the HAF programme must:

  • comply with regulations on food preparation
  • take into account allergies and dietary requirements (see the allergy guidance for schools)
  • take into account any religious or cultural requirements for food

Read more here about the framework of standards that are expected for HAF funded providers: Holiday activities and food programme 2024 – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We are dedicated to delivering reliable, dependable and highly effective HAF catering services in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

At Fresha, we strongly and passionately believe in the delivery of healthy and nutritious meals to children. If you are a provider of the HAF programme, let’s arrange to meet up to start the conversation for the next round of holiday activities and food at your centre.

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