BE PART OF THE SCHOOL FOOD PEOPLE SHOW AND FORUM 2026
Following LACA’s rebrand to The School Food People, our flagship event has evolved too. Formerly known as the Main Event and School Food Show, The School Food People Show & Forum brings a new name and renewed focus, while delivering the same proven results exhibitors value.
Taking place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Tuesday 7 and Wednesday 8 July 2026, the event attracts over 1,000 decision-makers and influencers from across the school food sector. It remains the only national UK event dedicated exclusively to school food, making it an unmissable opportunity for suppliers.
Held over two days, The School Food People Show & Forum connects exhibitors with:
School caterers and local authority buyers
Contract caterers and multi-academy trusts
Industry leaders shaping the future of school food
Whether you are already supplying the sector or looking to expand into this market, this is the essential platform to showcase products, build relationships, generate leads, and stay at the heart of the school food community. A new name. The same great event. Even more opportunity.
Meet with over 1,000 attendees from across the school meal sector
The School Food People members represent over 27,000primary, special and secondary schools
More than 1.1bn meals are served in schools each year - don't miss out on meeting the people responsible for making this happen!
94%of attendees told us they were looking todiscover new products & services
92% of exhibitors in 2025 rated the showas excellent or good
It is the onlyUK event dedicated to catering in education
WHO ATTENDS
JOB TITLES
Business Manager /Bursar
Catering Director
Catering Services Manager
Chef
Commercial Manager
Development Chef
Head Teacher
Operations Director / Manager
Regional / Area Manager
Trust Catering Manager
Hear from previous exhibitors
I wanted to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation for the fantastic experience we had at the 2023 show. I can confidently say that our decision to exhibit at this event was nothing short of brilliant, thanks in large part to the incredible support we received from Jacki. Our experience with LACA has been so positive that we've decided to become annual partners. This decision was greatly influenced the outstanding efforts and the warm reception we received from the entire team. Laura Finn, Head of Sales, Tiffin Sandwiches
Innovate Foods decided to attend the School Food Show in Birmingham for the first time in 2023. This is not a sector that we know well as a business, but decided on the back of some great feedback from other manufacturers that regularly attend, it was worth a look. We were very impressed with the venue at the Metropole, and were looked after during set up. The quality of the visitors to the stand was excellent, with plenty of interest in our products over the two days. We have already booked our stand for 2024, and look forward to growing our customer base in this sector. Mark Parrish, UK Sales Manager Foodservice
" It was a great feeling to attend the 2021 Main Event in Birmingham and be with customers again after what seemed such a long time and difficult time due to the pandemic. Although the "numbers' were down it allowed more time to speak in depth with key clients and fully understand their needs and aspirations for the coming menu cycles. As usual, the facilities at the Metropole hotel were very good even allowing for the fact that major refurbishment was under way, but this in no way detracted from the great atmosphere and camaraderie amongst fellow manufacturers.
With Main Event being such an important showcase for the education sector we have already booked our stand for 2022 " Martin Hanner, Hilcona UK Foodservice
"We find the Main event one of, if not our biggest and most successful industry events of the year. Having such a diverse delegate base of Local Authority Caterers; Contract Caterers and Multi-Academy Trusts, really gives us a chance to showcase our new Education Solutions and products across the sector and of course to catch up with many existing customers. I always say to other suppliers and potential exhibitors who are thinking about whether they should attend, if you want to play in the Education Sector, this is the ‘must attend’ event - you will never get as many keen and interested school caterers in one place.” Mark Taylor MIH Bloom Foodservice
"I have been exhibiting at the The Main Event organised by Dewberry Redpoint for over 10 years. Their organisational skills both pre-event and on the day are second to none. Audience figures, so important when an organisation has invested time and resource in exhibiting at a show, are always healthy, both in terms of quality and quantity." Marketing Manager, Pasta King
"We find that the Main Event is one of the most important dates in the calendar , it’s a great opportunity to engage with all our customers and meet new ones" Alan Souter, National Sales Manager, Harrogate Spring Water
" The Main Event is probably our most successful show. The attendees are genuinely interested in stopping and talking to you, regardless of what you are selling and whether they are interested in your products at that particular moment. It’s also good to see regular faces all under one roof." Steve Kirkby, Sales Director, Tablecraft
It provides us with the perfect platform to meet with the decision makers from the education sector under one roof, which would certainly take longer to do if I had individual meetings up and down the country. Looking forward to another great event this year. Matt Garland, PIP Organic
The School Food People Show - Booking form
The School Food People Show & Forum - Event Information