School Plates

ProVeg UK launches Contract Caterer Ranking

ProVeg UK has launched the first of its kind ranking of contract caterers across England to find the most planet-friendly menus.

To reach the top spots, caterers are ranked on their promotion of plant-based foods, the quality of plant-based dishes, and also score points on transparency and communication about these topics. 

Feedback tells us that schools and local authorities face difficulties in being able to compare contract caterers for plant-forward, planet-friendly menus that align with sustainability and health goals.

That’s why ProVeg UK have put together a ranking of the top 25 contract caterers in England, weighing up their sustainable offerings, and celebrating the best of the best!

The results:

Here’s how we calculated.

  • In August of 2024, we wrote to all the caterers in the ranking to request their best, most plant-forward menu.
  • We ranked all caterers who replied according to their website, their engagement, and their menus supplied.
  • In December 2024, for those who did not respond to our requests or provide a menu, we instead looked at three publicly available menus online, and included the highest-scoring menu in our data collection.
  • With a data consultant, we were able to calculate a scoring system and position each caterer in the ranking.

The top 12:

Green background with a list of contract caterers ranked 1 to 12. Odd numbers on the left: Dolce, Caterlink (AIP), Nourish, Holroyd Howe, Innovate (IFG), Harrison. Even numbers on the right: Sodexo, AIP (Sodexo), Thomas Franks, ISS, Aramark, Olive.

To see the full ranking and reviews, download the ranking here.

Five smiling people in green aprons and black hats pose confidently in a kitchen setting. They stand in front of an open doorway, displaying a cheerful and team-spirited demeanor.
The Dolce Catering Team

A huge well done to Dolce, Sodexo and Caterlink for such high scores.

With a growing need for caterers to prioritise health and sustainability, the ranking makes it easy for schools to choose a caterer that aligns with their planet-friendly goals. This year’s winner, Dolce, proves that sustainability and efficiency can go hand-in-hand, even for the biggest in the business.

Want to find out how to increase your score in our ranking for next year? Email Alex Jemison [email protected].

  1. Dolce
  2. Sodexo
  3. Caterlink
  4. AiP (Sodexo)
  5. Nourish
  6. Thomas Franks
  7. Holroyd Howe (WSH)
  8. ISS
  9. Innovate (Impact Food Group)
  10. Aramark
  11. Harrison
  12. Olive

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