After coming under fire for supplying parents with 'disgraceful' free school meal hampers, Chartwells is being called out for the service it provides to top private schools through its sister company.
While many families were disappointed to receive spartan supplies to feed their kids as school remain closed, some people have pointed out that the story could not be more different for the other children it provides meals for under the banner of its sister company, Chartwells Independent.
According to its website, Chartwells Independent has 'more than 50 years of service to independent schools', having been awarded its very first school partnership with Chigwell School in 1969.
In 1982, the catering company also gained its first contract at Cambridge, providing 'breakfast, lunch and supper to day and boarding pupils at The Leys'.
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Other institutions that Chartwells Independent has worked with over the years also include Haileybury College in Hertfordshire and North London Collegiate School.
Social media images show the stark contrast between the two offerings, with journalist Kate Pasola tweeting: "Chartwells UK has a sister company called Chartwells Independent. This is what they serve to rich children, compared to the rotting bananas and Frubes they're giving to free school meal recipients."
Someone else wrote: "Chartwells Independent food service, meanwhile. Pork belly and scallops. Could always abolish private education and level everything up but whatever."
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Sharing yet more contrasting photos, another said: "What Chartwells serves children on free school meals vs what they prepare for independent, fee paying schools."
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Referring to one of the images that has been circulating on social media (above), a spokesperson for Chartwells told LADbible the charge was actually £10.50 per parcel.
A statement said: "We have had time to investigate the picture circulated on Twitter. For clarity this shows five days of free school lunches (not ten days) and the charge for food, packing and distribution was actually £10.50 and not £30 as suggested.
"However, in our efforts to provide thousands of food parcels a week at extremely short notice we are very sorry the quantity has fallen short in this instance.
"Our ten-day hampers typically include a wide variety of nutritious food items to support the provision of lunches for children.
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"We are further enhancing our food parcels following the Department for Education's additional allowance of £3.50 per week per child in line with nutritional guidelines, in addition we welcome the DofE procurement notice for schools issued today.
"We would like to thank Marcus Rashford and the Permanent Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Vicky Ford, for their collaboration as we navigate these difficult times."
LADbible has reached out to Chartwells Independent for comment.
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/Chartwells Independent