VBS News Net: VBS Canteen was open every Friday morning from mid-November to early December to invite all VBS PTA President of each class to inspect back kitchen and try the food for a more transparent, responsible and open canteen which offers safer, healthier and better service to ensure students' dining safety and balanced diet. Head of Logistics Support Centre Mr. Chen Donglin, Head of Administration Centre Ms. Carmen Chen, Deputy Head of Development Centre Ms. Huang, Canteen Manager Mr. Gan, Supervisor Mr. Kane Zhang and dieticians cordially welcomed the visiting parents. After the visit, parents recorded down their experience in the forms of words, reflections and videos to share with other parents who were not here so that all parents could be assured about the food on campus.

Parents have noted that there are 40 people working at the canteen with valid health certificates. They all put down required clothes as they enter the kitchen. 

Food storage is managed well, the food supply channel is clear with documents and qualifications. Every piece of food is taken a sample for quality test with test reports which are saved and approved at the provincial system.

Dishwashing Room - four steps are followed: washing with detergents and clean water, sterilisation with machines, sterilisation at high temperature disinfection machine again and putting at cutlery lockers. 

Fruits Room - four steps are followed: cleaning, soaking with salted water, loading and delivering.

Pastry Room - dumplings, buns and bread are hand-made. doughs are made by machines which are sanitised regularly. Steaming time is strictly controlled. 

Processing space - different drains are set up to wash fish, meat and vegetables with chopping boards highlighted in distinct colours.

Cooking space - the raw materials are fresh with clean woks. The steamers are big enough to cook food for everyone.

Storing food samples - food sample scheme is set up to keep the food for 48 hours at specified fridge with taking 125 grams from each piece of food. The school implements food trial 30 minutes in advance by school leaders in charge every day. The food safety is ensured by the clear food safety management structure and well-defined responsibility. 

The school takes note of students' differences. The kitchen highlights the allergies that students have from each class. These students will have their lunch in a different set of lunchboxes given by residence teachers.

The school also values the dining experience. The central temperature of the food is controlled at 65 degree Celsius to ensure the food is warm as they are served at classrooms. Logistics Support Centre will offer popular dishes more based on the leftover food. 

Dieticians are hired by the school to offer balanced diets once a week. Based on age groups, they design the diet based on their body needs and dietary structures. 

Students have adequate time to finish their food in silence as nurtured by the school on dining habits and manners.

Deputy Head of Development Centre Ms. Huang Yajuan shared on the work done by residence teachers as she accompanied parents during the tour. Home Economics classes are offered every Wednesday after school to teach students some life skills and learn to be independent.

VBS canteen has been graded the highest Class A canteen. Supervisors from Education Bureau and authorities officers will conduct inspections without notifications to ensure food safety on campus. 

Parents' overall feedback

The school has prioritised food safety as the back kitchen is clean and well-managed. The canteen offers a variety of delicious food with balanced nutritions. Parents they rest assured with Dieticians to balance students' diet. 

After parents' visits, Logistics Support Centre, Residence Teachers' Department held another meeting with canteen manager to provide feedback and implement measures such as offering hot desserts to students in winter. 

VBS values food safety and health to allow parents to put down their anxiety about their children's food in school.

Document Provider: Deputy Head of Development Centre Ms. Huang, PTA Presidents

Photographer: Linda

Translated by DC Lai