Facts contradict claims of school meals sales decline
There are eating out statistics in the public sector which appear to contradict press reports of falling sales in schools.
State schools grossed £792.9m in food sales in 2005. Although the "Jamie Oliver" factor had depressed food sales in schools in late 2005, sales are bouncing back and in 2006, food sales in state schools are likely to reach £833m - a year-on rise of 5.1%.
The big gainers out of this increase will be delivered wholesalers whose total increase can be expected to be £21.9m spread over two years but, in percentage terms, contract distributors will see their sales increase by 9.1% and their market share advance to 10.1%.
The big increase will come from fresh or short shelf-life chilled foods. Their current £110.9m sales are forecast by Horizons to advance to £120.8m by 2007, an increase of 9.0% in real terms.
