At UTC Plymouth, we believe that healthy, balanced meals are an important part of supporting our students’ wellbeing and learning. Our catering team provides a variety of freshly prepared options each day, ensuring there is something for everyone. 

Daily Offerings 

• Hot Meals: A rotating menu of nutritious main courses, including vegetarian and vegan options to pre-order. 

• Grab & Go: Sandwiches, wraps, and salads for students who prefer something quick. 

• Snacks: Fresh fruit, yoghurt, and healthy snacks available. 

• Drinks: Water stations across the site and fruit juice cartons available to buy. 

Menus are designed to meet government school food standards and encourage healthy eating habits. 

Free School Meals 

As a parent/guardian, you can easily check your eligibility and apply online at a time that suits you. 

Click here to start your Free School Meals Application. 

Scroll down and click on How to apply for free school meals. You can also choose to download a paper copy to hand in to the school or send to the Local Authority directly. 

If you have more than one child, you can apply for all of them using one form, even if they attend different schools. 

For further information please click on the link and visit the Plymouth City Council Free School Meals webpage. 

Healthy Eating Commitment 

We encourage students to make positive food choices. Our catering team work closely with staff to promote: 

• Balanced nutrition 

• Portion control 

• Reducing sugar and processed foods 

• Celebrating cultural diversity through themed menus 

Allergies & Dietary Needs 

At UTC Plymouth, we are committed to ensuring that every child can enjoy a safe, healthy and delicious meal at school. We understand that many of our families have specific dietary requirements, whether due to allergies, intolerances, cultural and religious beliefs or personal lifestyle choices, we take these needs seriously. 

Our catering team works hard to provide a wide variety of options each day, so there is always something suitable for everyone. From vegetarian and vegan dishes to allergen‑aware alternatives, our menus are designed to be inclusive, balanced and appealing to all tastes. We also follow national guidance on allergy management in schools, and our staff receive training to ensure food is prepared and served with care. 

Our food has clear labelling of allergens and ingredients and our team is always happy to talk through options if you have any concerns. 

Important Allergy Information: We are committed to supporting pupils with allergies, intolerances and dietary requirements and take reasonable precautions to minimise the risk of allergen exposure.  However, because food is prepared and served in environments where allergens are present, we cannot guarantee that any meal is completely free from traces of allergens.

Parents and carers must inform the school of any diagnosed allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements and keep us updated if circumstances change.  This information enables us to work with families and our catering team to put appropriate measures in place to support your child's safety and wellbeing. 

If you’re a student, please be sure to mention any requirements at the till when ordering or paying. This helps our catering team double‑check and make sure your meal is safe and suitable for you. 

Ordering a School Meal 

Please ensure there are sufficient funds available on your Arbor account at all times, as students cannot purchase food when their account balance is zero and they are not entitled to Free School Meals.  Credit must be added in advance to enable your child to make purchases at breaktime and lunchtime.

We also sell hot and cold snacks at break time. 

If you would like your child to purchase any snacks, then please add credit onto the Arbor App. 

Logging into the app for the first time, click here for more information. 

Community Support 

We know that cost‑of‑living pressures affect many families. If you need additional support, please explore: 

• UTC Community Pantry - Our Community Pantry is available to support UTC families by providing access to affordable food and essential household items, helping to ease financial pressures while strengthening our school community.  If you need support, please email safeguardingteam@utcplymouth.org

• Plymouth Food Aid Network – local foodbanks and community larders 

• Plymouth Cost of Living Hub – advice on food, energy, and housing 

• Citizens Advice Plymouth – practical support for families