By Philippa Terry, Chief Operating Officer, Juniper Ventures
Introduction: Why This Week Matters: This week marks the intersection of two important celebrations: National School Meals Week and London Living Wage Week. On the surface, they might seem like separate conversations, one about the food children eat, the other about fair pay for staff but for us at Juniper, they are deeply connected.
Food in schools isn’t just about nutrition; it’s about community, belonging, and learning. Chefs, health & safety teams, and cleaning teams alike are at the heart of making it all work. Recognising their value through fair pay, support, and respect strengthens the experience for every child we serve.
Fair Pay in Action: Paying our teams the London Living Wage isn’t just a commitment on paper. It’s a principle that shapes how our kitchens run and how our teams feel. Staff who feel valued and fairly rewarded are more motivated, engaged, and confident in their roles.
This translates directly to the pupils: welcoming environments, consistently high-quality meals, safe kitchens and dining spaces, and staff who go above and beyond to make every lunch meaningful. Fair pay is integral in creating these positive experiences, it’s the foundation of great service, wellbeing, and a happy school day.
Real Voices: Our teams are the true heroes of school mealtimes. Some of their words speak volumes: “Being paid a fair wage shows me that my work is valued — and that motivates me to give my best every day.” “I love seeing the children enjoy their meals and knowing I helped make their day a little brighter.” “Cooking together and chatting with pupils reminds me why this job matters — it’s about more than food, it’s about connection.”
The Ripple Effect: The impact of valuing staff goes beyond the kitchen. When our chefs, health & safety teams, and cleaning teams feel supported and proud, that energy flows into every part of the school. Pupils benefit from attentive, motivated staff; schools benefit from reliable, safe, and consistent service; and communities benefit from healthier, happier children. It’s a ripple effect—wellbeing and motivation lead directly to quality in service and care.
Our Ongoing Commitment: At Juniper, our commitment is simple but powerful: fairness, belonging, and better school days for every child. That means paying our people fairly, creating spaces where they can thrive, and delivering meals and environments that nourish not just bodies, but communities.
This week is a moment to reflect, celebrate, and recommit to the people who make school meals possible.
#NationalSchoolMealsWeek #LivingWageWeek #PeoplePurposePlates #CommunityConnection