Help Hub | Your Guide to 360 Bia Óg's School Meal Support & FAQs

CLEAR ANSWERS
FOR CONFIDENT
CHOICES

Lunches They’ll Love, Care You’ll Trust.

Helping you make informed choices for every school day.

FOR PARENTS

What is the “Hot School Meals Programme” in Ireland? The Hot School Meals Programme is an initiative by the Irish government to provide free, nutritious hot meals to primary school children. It aims to support children’s overall health, focus, and development by ensuring they have access to a balanced lunch each school day. At 360 Bia Óg, we’re thrilled to bring this programme to life by delivering fresh, kid-friendly meals directly to schools, making it easy for parents and schools to offer healthy lunchtime options.

How do I sign up or get started with 360 Bia Óg? To get started, simply register through our Parent Portal. You’ll be guided through a few easy steps to create a profile for your child, view the menu, and set preferences. Our system also lets you obtain a unique StudentID, which will be used to manage your child’s menu choices smoothly.

How do I get a StudentID for my child? If it’s your first time using the Parent Portal, you’ll be prompted to request a StudentID. This ID is a unique identifier needed for each child, allowing us to securely manage meal selections and updates. To get one, you’ll be asked to fill in details like your child’s name, school, teacher, and class. Once submitted, you’ll receive the StudentID via email within two business days.

Can I change my child’s lunch option? Yes, you can easily make changes to your child’s menu through the Parent Portal. Using the StudentID, you can access the Menu Selection Change option, allowing you to choose meals based on your child’s evolving tastes or dietary needs.

How will I know the menu and allergen details? The Parent Portal provides a full menu view, complete with allergen information for each dish. This feature allows you to make well-informed choices based on your child’s dietary requirements.

How quickly does a lunch request change take effect? For menu changes outside of allergen or dietary change requests, it can take up to two weeks for updates to take effect. This timeframe allows for supplier coordination and order adjustments. We’re actively working to reduce this processing time to within a week to make updates faster and more convenient for families.

What types of meals does 360 Bia Óg provide? We offer a variety of delicious, balanced meals that change with the seasons, including kid-approved options like macaroni pasta and warm vegetable curries. We also have weekly vegan and vegetarian dishes, along with options designed for children with dietary needs, so every child has a safe and enjoyable meal at lunchtime.

How are meals kept warm until lunchtime? Each morning, our meals are freshly prepared and delivered in certified, reusable thermo flasks designed to keep food warm until lunchtime, ensuring it’s ready to enjoy without reheating. Our team follows strict health and safety protocols, with regular temperature checks throughout preparation and delivery, guaranteeing that every meal arrives fresh, safe, and at the ideal temperature for students. This process maintains both the nutritional integrity and quality of the food, so parents and schools can feel confident in each lunch served.

Can I choose specific meals for my child? Yes, you can select meals on behalf of your child each week through our Parent Portal. This feature allows you to choose from a variety of options tailored to their tastes and preferences, helping make lunchtime an enjoyable experience they look forward to every day.

Can I see the full menu before making a selection? Absolutely! Our Parent Portal allows you to view the full menu in advance, so you can choose the meals that best suit your child’s tastes and dietary needs. You’ll see a list of seasonal favourites, Fuss Pots for selective eaters, and allergy-friendly options, all with detailed allergen information.

Do meals accommodate religious dietary restrictions, like halal? Yes, all of our meat is halal-certified and sourced from Bord Bia-accredited Irish farms. We also offer vegetarian and vegan options, so families can choose what works best for their dietary practices.

What is the process for managing special dietary requirements (allergies, gluten-free, etc.)? Our Parent Portal makes it simple to view allergen information for each menu item. You can also mark your child’s specific allergens during registration, allowing us to ensure their meals are prepared and labelled accordingly. Our allergen protocols and clear labelling system make it easy to select safe, suitable meals and clear for distribution.

Do you offer meal options for children with specific texture or colour preferences? Yes, we understand that some children may have specific preferences for textures or colours in their food. Our menu includes options with familiar, mild flavours to accommodate a range of tastes. If your child has particular needs, please feel free to contact us or speak with your school. We’ll work together to create a meal plan that suits their preferences while providing a balanced, nutritious option they can enjoy.

How can I be sure the meals are safe and hygienic? Food safety is a top priority. Our kitchen is HACCP-certified, with strict protocols for hygiene, allergen handling, and quality control. Each meal undergoes multiple checks to ensure it meets the highest standards of safety, so you can feel confident that your child’s food is prepared with care.

Will my child receive a balanced, nutritious meal each day? Absolutely. Every meal we provide is crafted to meet Ireland’s Nutrition Standards for School Meals, ensuring a balanced combination of vegetables, proteins, and whole grains to support children’s growth and energy needs. We know that visible vegetables aren’t always a favourite, so we often blend them into sauces and stews—making each bite both nutritious and enjoyable. Our goal is to offer meals that kids genuinely look forward to, all while meeting high standards for health and quality.

How do I contact 360 Bia Óg if I have a question or issue? We’re here to support you! If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us via email or phone. Our team is committed to addressing your needs and making sure you feel fully supported in your child’s lunch experience.

What should I do if my child didn’t enjoy a meal or left it unfinished? We appreciate feedback! If your child didn’t enjoy a meal, please let us know. The Parent Portal also allows you to adjust meal preferences for future selections, helping us ensure your child has a lunch they look forward to. We’re here to help you find meals that suit your child’s tastes while maintaining nutritional quality.

FOR SCHOOLS

How do I get started with 360 Bia Óg for my school? If your school would like to partner with 360 Bia Óg, simply reach out to our team to begin the application process. We’ll provide all necessary details and work with you to make setup easy and efficient.

What support does 360 Bia Óg offer for schools implementing this programme? Our team provides full support during setup and beyond, including guidance on meal distribution, allergen management, and troubleshooting. We’re committed to helping your school offer a seamless lunch service that’s convenient for staff and enjoyable for students.

Are there requirements for the school in terms of storage or meal handling? We’ve designed our service to be self-sufficient, so no additional storage or handling equipment is needed from the school. Meals are delivered ready-to-serve in reusable thermo flasks, and we manage the collection and sanitisation process each day.

Who should schools contact if they have delivery or service issues? Your school will have a dedicated contact at 360 Bia Óg who can be reached by phone or email for any service-related questions. We’re here to support your team and ensure smooth daily operations.

How soon can we start once we apply? Our team will work with you to set up service as quickly as possible, typically within a couple of weeks. We handle all necessary logistics to make the transition smooth and efficient.

How does the daily meal delivery process work? Each morning, meals are freshly prepared and delivered to your school within a designated timeframe, ensuring they arrive just in time for lunch. The meals are kept warm in insulated thermo flasks and are distributed directly to classrooms or a designated delivery area, making them ready for quick and easy serving when lunchtime begins.

Do we need any special equipment for meal storage or distribution? No additional equipment is needed. Our meals are delivered in reusable, colour-coded thermo flasks, which are easy for staff to distribute. Flasks are then collected, sanitised, and prepared for the next day.

How does meal distribution work within classrooms? Each meal container is colour-coded based on dietary needs and menu item, making it easy for staff to identify and distribute meals according to children’s preferences and requirements. This system is designed to streamline distribution and minimise classroom disruption.

Are there backup options if a student forgets their lunch selection? Yes, we typically have a standard option available for students who missed their selection, ensuring that every child receives a meal.

How is the food quality maintained during preparation and delivery? Our kitchen follows rigorous HACCP-certified food safety standards, with quality checks at every stage from preparation to delivery. Meals are kept warm in insulated flasks, ensuring they arrive fresh and ready to serve.

How do you handle allergy concerns within the school? Our meals are colour-coded by dietary preference and allergens, making it easy for staff to distribute meals safely. We also provide training and support for school staff on handling allergen-safe meals.

What should we do if a parent has a specific question about their child’s meal? If a parent has questions about their child’s meal or dietary needs, we encourage schools to direct them to our dedicated support team. Our staff is available to assist with any inquiries and provide the information parents need.

How are food waste and sustainability managed? We take a zero-waste approach with our reusable, sanitised thermo flasks, eliminating the need for waste disposal at the school. Any food waste generated is collected, taken back with us, and converted into energy, supporting a sustainable cycle. Additionally, we prioritise local sourcing and carefully plan meal portions to minimise waste, creating an eco-friendly service that’s convenient for schools.

Can 360 School Lunch provide a report on sustainability practices for our school’s records? Yes, we can provide a summary of our sustainability practices, including waste management, local sourcing, and energy conversion. This report can be used for school records or to share with parents interested in our eco-friendly practices.

What should we do if there are changes in the number of students receiving lunches? If there’s a change in the number of students or dietary requirements, simply notify our team via your school’s designated contact. We’ll adjust the meal count to reflect any updates and ensure that the correct portions arrive each day.

CLEAR ANSWERS FOR CONFIDENT CHOICES

CLEAR ANSWERS
FOR CONFIDENT
CHOICES