"Growing together: members benefit from collective purchasing power and trusted partnerships, whilst suppliers gain access to more schools."
The School Food Collective is strengthened by partnerships with businesses and organisations who share our commitment to quality, ethics, and community. These partners help independent school caterers access the resources, products, and services needed to deliver exceptional food programmes.
The companies listed below provide products or services to School Food Collective members. As our network grows, members benefit from collective purchasing power and trusted supplier relationships, whilst partners gain access to more schools.
If your business aligns with our values and you'd like to support independent school catering in Japan, we'd love to hear from you.
Tony Mulgrew is an award-winning chef who has dedicated over a decade to transforming school food in the UK. In 2014, he was named BBC Food & Farming Awards Cook of the Year, receiving his award from Jamie Oliver in recognition of his outstanding commitment to providing nutritious, delicious meals to students.
Since 2012, Tony has served as Chef Catering Manager at Ravenscliffe High School in Halifax, England, where he champions fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and inclusive menu options. His work with the Vegetarian Society and strong connections with Food for Life UK reflect his passion for plant-based cooking and sustainable food practices in schools. Tony has also maintained a long-term partnership with Yokohama International School's food service, bridging his expertise across continents and cultures.
Tony believes that every child deserves access to quality food that nourishes both body and mind. His approach combines culinary excellence with practical school catering experience, making him an invaluable patron to our collective as we work to elevate school food standards in Japan.
Tony has championed school food for over 25 years. Combined with his experience in the Army, NHS, and hotels, his career spans nearly 50 years across the hospitality industry—bringing depth, versatility, and unwavering commitment to every kitchen he leads.
Alishan
Organic and natural foods supplier
Kimino
Sparkling juice beverages made with real fruit
Shiga Farm
Local farm providing fresh, seasonal produce
Tamamura Hoten
Local Independent Brewer supplying beautiful beer for your community events
Minoya Arare
Traditional Japanese rice crackers and senbei
Minoya Arare
Minoya Arare
Traditional Japanese rice crackers and senbei
Traditional Japanese rice crackers and senbei
GMT
Organic oats and groats
Cotta
Baking and kitchen supplies
Chef Works
Professional chef uniforms and kitchen apparel
LunchTab
Point-of-sale system designed for school food service
Stripe
Secure payment processing that works seamlessly in the background
YIS PTSA
Yokohama International School Parent Teacher Student Association - supporting quality school food initiatives
JCIS
Supporting excellence in international education across Japan
Does your business share our commitment to fresh, ethical, locally-sourced school food?
We're always looking to connect with suppliers, service providers, and organizations who want to support independent school caterers.
The School Food Collective connects independent school caterers across Japan through shared standards, developing supplier relationships, and peer support.
Together, we're proving that operators focused on a single school can outperform corporate caterers: meals prepared from scratch, menus that respond to real feedback, and food service rooted in community rather than contracts.
© 2025 School Food Collective. A not-for-profit collective supporting independent school caterers across Japan.
