The new school year has brought a fresh look and a refreshed food offer to our canteens. Our community played an active role in shaping these changes, sharing feedback through a survey and taking part in blind tastings.
Discover what has changed and hear from Claude, our Catering Operations Lead about the new dining experience on both campuses.
From feedback to action
Improving the dining experience for students was at the heart of the process leading up to the renewal of our school catering contract.
As part of the preparation for the new tender, Shanghai French School invited students, parents and staff to share their views on the school catering service through a survey. The survey provided valuable feedback on food quality, choice and the overall lunchtime experience.
What has changed?
Since the beginning of the school year, a number of improvements have been introduced across both campuses.
A more comfortable and efficient dining experience
service areas have been redesigned and reorganised to improve circulation and reduce waiting times
new trays, plates and cutlery, better adapted to different users
acoustic improvements to reduce noise and create a more comfortable dining environment
At Qingpu:
seating capacity increased from 670 to 730 places
all canteen furniture was renewed
new outdoor seating and sunshades were added
pasta, noodle and flame-grill stations were expanded
At Yangpu:
all serving lines were renovated and reorganised to make service more fluid
an additional serving point was introduced for Primary students
Better quality, more choice
seasonal organic vegetables once a week
100% cage-free eggs
a wider variety of protein options, including regular beef and salmon dishes
continued commitments to food quality and safety, including no added monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial additives or artificial colourings, controlled sugar levels, nut-free catering and non-GMO cooking oil
a new Poke Bowl pop-up station, with a rotating selection of proteins and vegetables
a dedicated pizza station, with pizzas prepared on site
a new salad bar for Primary students
at least five low-sugar or no-added-sugar snack options available in the cafeteria each day
More information and visibility for families
improved access to nutritional information, calories and allergens, through dish labels, daily displays and screens
an upgraded canteen payment and ordering system
improvements to the canteen payment system and mini program, giving families better visibility over meals, spending and orders
Food education and continuous improvement
cooking workshops for students
nutrition awareness initiatives and regular Health & Wellness information
new survey and feedback tools to collect students’ and families’ views more regularly
analysis of feedback to identify areas for improvement and support continuous adjustments to the service
YANGPU
QINGPU
Interview with Claude, Operation Lead, Both Campuses
Can you give us an overview of how our canteens operate day to day?
Every day, our teams serve more than 2,300 meals across our two campuses.
Students can choose from up to eight different food options each day, prepared by our chefs, Roger and Raphaël. Raphaël, a Michelin-trained chef.
Rooted in French food culture, our approach to school meals goes beyond nutrition. Lunchtime is also about enjoying food, discovering new flavours and sharing a moment together. It is an opportunity for students to develop healthy habits and curiosity about what they eat.
How do the renovated canteen spaces improve the dining experience for students?
The renovation focused on making lunchtime more comfortable, fluid and better adapted to students’ needs on both campuses.
At both Qingpu and Yangpu, the service lines have been renovated and reorganised to improve circulation, make service more efficient and create additional space for the different food options available to students.
At Qingpu, where the furniture was slightly older, the project also included a full renewal of the furniture and the addition of 60 seats to better accommodate the growing number of students. The outdoor dining area was also upgraded with new furniture and sunshades.
Finally, all tableware has been replaced on both campuses, contributing to a more pleasant and consistent dining experience.
What are the main changes to the food offer this year?
One of the biggest additions is our new poke bowl counter, giving students another way to build a complete meal with protein, starch and a variety of vegetables.
For Kindergarten and Primary students, the set-menu offer has also been expanded, with a wider variety of proteins and a broader mix of Asian and Western dishes.
We are also increasing the use of organic vegetables and cage-free eggs, particularly at the salad bar.
Across the canteen, students can find Western dishes with vegetarian options, Asian noodles and rice, soups, salads, make-your-own sandwiches, poke bowls and other rotating choices. Among the students’ favourites are the Western chef’s table, the Chinese noodles and wok counter, and the pasta bar.
With so many choices, how do you make sure meals remain healthy and balanced?
Our menus are planned six weeks in advance and follow a six-week rotation. They are developed according to French educational nutrition standards and validated by the school’s nurses.
A set meal is designed to provide a balanced combination of vegetables, starch, protein, dairy, bread, soup or salad, fruit or dessert. Proteins and side dishes rotate regularly, as do our cooking techniques, including steaming, stewing, baking, boiling, poaching and grilling.
Our food charter also sets strict sourcing requirements. We do not use artificial additives or GMO products, and our meat and fish suppliers undergo rigorous checks, including requirements regarding antibiotic-free sourcing. The canteens are also nut-free.
Health is important, but so is enjoyment. With nine service lines, we can offer different styles of food and allow students to explore new flavours while still finding options they enjoy.
How do students’ feedback and preferences influence the menus?
Listening to students is essential. This year, we have introduced new feedback terminals at several points in the canteens, including the entrance and tray-return areas, so students can easily share positive or negative feedback.
We combine this information with direct conversations with students, teachers and staff.
All feedback is tracked and analysed by our canteen teams across both campuses. We then discuss possible adjustments, improvements or new proposals with the school. It allows us to see what works, what students enjoy and where we can continue to improve.
Are there any further improvements or new initiatives planned for the coming months?
Yes, there is still more to come!
We are developing monthly food promotions and themed menus, including special moments around Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, with dedicated dishes, decorations and activities.
Our chefs will also offer cooking classes for students, parents, teachers and staff, creating another opportunity to discover food together.
We are also working on an upgrade to the canteen mini app, making it easier for parents to follow their children’s spending and food orders.
Finally, we are developing an improved allergy alert system linked to students’ school cards. When a student with a registered allergy uses her / his card, the information will appear in the canteen system, giving our team an additional tool to identify dietary restrictions and serve students safely.
GET INVOVED
Finally, we want to fully involve families in the continuous improvement of our school catering service.
Our catering team organises canteen visits for parents, including a meal and an opportunity to meet and exchange with the team. If you would like to take part in a future visit, please contact the canteen team via our website, under Parents Info > Your preferential contacts.
A joint LFS-DSS Canteen Committee meets twice a year in English. It brings together representatives of LFS parents, staff and students to discuss the catering service and identify areas for improvement. On each campus, two parent representative seats and several substitute seats are available.
Parents can also get involved as canteen volunteers, helping students and supporting the Primary Student Life teams during lunchtime.
For more information and to get involved, please visit the Community > Parent Volunteers section of our website, where you will find a dedicated form for each campus.