HFS Shire Services-1

From left: Harlech Foodservice regional account manager David Roberts, Catering Area Manager Lauren Moore; Shire Services general manager Susan Vuli, and Wenlock Spring national account manager Alan Souter

Harlech Foodservice has landed a five-year contract worth £1m to supply schools in the West Midlands and Wales.

The Welsh wholesaler secured the new contract with the catering arm of Shropshire City Council, Shire Services.

This is the third education contract for the Gwynedd-based wholesaler, which in September signed two agreements worth £2m to supply schools across Wales.

Shropshire-based Shire Services provides catering services for schools, nurseries, care homes and further education colleges across Shropshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and North Wales.

It also offers food safety advice services, compliance consultancy and a range of training courses for the sector.

Earlier this year, Harlech opened a new depot in Wellington to strengthen its presence in the West Midlands.

The wholesaler is planning to double the number of drivers and vehicles at its Wellington depot to support the new contract.

“We are proud to provide catering services to 118 primary and secondary schools across the West Midlands and North Wales, and we are passionate about using local suppliers”, said Shire Services area manager Lauren Moore.

“Harlech Foodservice’s presence in Telford enables us to incorporate local products into our offerings, such as still and sparkling water from Wenlock Spring.”

Harlech regional account manager David Roberts added: “As a firm with a strong local connection to Shropshire it’s very important to us that the quality and nutritional value of the food and drink in schools is as high as possible and that only the best is used.

“We also aim to use suppliers local to the client wherever possible, as that cuts food miles and ensures that the benefits of the contract are shared with the local community.

“This new contract with Shire Services demonstrates not only our range of products and the excellent service we provide, but also our commitment to using local suppliers like Wenlock Spring wherever we operate.”