MADE TO MEASURE CATERING TECHNOLOGY
Child-friendly technology, safety and hygiene: what customised solutions exist for each age group?
Whether nursery, school catering or a student canteen, food is always better received by youngsters if it is presented and served in a way that meets the requirements of the target group in question. From ergonomic heights to age-appropriate hygiene and safety features, all catering stations should be adapted to the height and age of the diners.
How food makes it big with the little ones
Adult-sized furniture is too big for children. Nursery and primary school children up to the age of around 10 love serving modules with a lower total height of approx. 750 mm (standard height for adults: 900 mm). Particularly for the smallest diners at nursery, a reduced height of approx. 735 mm for tray and plate slides and shelves is ideal. This enables the children to help themselves or have a good view of the food being served.
Shown here: Serving heights for children's catering
- Module height 750 mm with tray slide at 735 mm for young children aged up to 10
- Module height 750 mm with plate slide flush with the top surface for children aged up to 10
- Module height 900 mm with tray slide at 785 mm for children from the age of 10
The child-friendly heights give kids a feeling of being able to interact with the grown-ups at eye level. Being able to serve themselves is even more fun and promotes independence and self-confidence.
For older school children from the age of around 10, serving modules at the standard height of 900 mm can be used. However, it is also a good idea – at least for the younger children – to install the tray or plate slide at an ergonomic, lower height of approx. 785 mm.
More safety for young diners
Especially when it comes to nursery and primary school children, safety is just as important as ergonomics. Look for sensible options on the units, such as top cover panels for on/off switches and temperature controllers (image 1). These prevent children from fiddling with the switches, especially in self-service catering.
Another important safety option is a child safety lock on fold-down tray slides (image 2). The tray slides should permit secure locking in both the folded-up and folded-down positions in order to prevent injury.
Maximum independence for big kids
For older pupils and students, food presentation and serving can take place at the standard height of 900 mm. These target groups also want to be addressed and treated as adults. When it comes to catering, what matters most to them is freedom of choice and a feel-good atmosphere. You can find design tips in our article "Everything is better in colour".
Hygiene and protection for diners and staff
Hygiene has always been an important issue in commercial catering. Therefore, when choosing your catering technology, pay close attention to the available hygiene features, such as a sneeze guard or protective options for serving staff.
The ideal scenario is when the manufacturer offers numerous options for retrofitting hygiene measures – this enables you to respond flexibly to new or changing hygiene requirements at all times. This not only ensures safety for diners and staff, but also makes a decisive contribution to investment security.
Wide range of useful additions
If you are looking for child-friendly catering technology, don't forget to consider the things that go with it, such as food serving trolleys, plate dispensers, cutlery dispensers and (multifunctional) serving trolleys. It makes sense if these units are also available in child-friendly heights and attractive designs.
With such a practice-oriented, comprehensive range of catering technology, target group-specific food presentation, serving and logistics is guaranteed to be child' play. We wish all of your diners, big and small, bon appetit!
