Lockhart launches school equipment grant scheme
Catering equipment wholesaler will provide equipment packages for selected Prept-partnered schools.
Lockhart Catering Equipment has partnered with the Prept Foundation to launch a School Equipment Grant Scheme for 2027.
The new initiative will see the supplier providing kitchen equipment packages for selected Prept-partnered schools and chefs to help them continue to provide quality food education.
Prept’s mission is to develop young people’s cooking skills for healthy relationships with food at primary and secondary school ages across the country and inspire young people to consider careers in hospitality. It has just added the Lancashire region to its coverage, following Sussex and London.
Simon Britten, head of marketing at Lockhart Catering Equipment, said: “Innovation is a buzzword at Lockhart Catering Equipment, and we’re constantly looking to the future of foodservice. Young people are the ones who will be shaping the industry in a few years’ time, so it’s vital that we invest in their future.
“Prept’s values align perfectly with this thinking, so we’re delighted to be working together to ensure that Prept-partnered schools and chefs have all the tools they need to continue delivering high-quality education and inspire passion in the next generation.”
Lockhart and Prept’s partnership extends beyond the new grant scheme, with the equipment wholesaler signing as headline sponsor of Prept’s Food Fight charity boxing event, which raised £152,000 in March 2026.
Since then, the charity and catering equipment specialist have gone on to co-host Prept Collabs; a four-hands dinner series showcasing leading chefs including Adam Smith, Aktar Islam, Jean Delport, Josh Angus, Lisa Goodwin-Allen, Martin Carabott, Rafa Cagali, Ricky Weston, Spencer Metzger and Tom Barnes. The finale will see all 10 chefs cooking together at London’s Hide in November.
Jessica Aggarwal, co-founder of Prept, said: “With practical lessons around food declining in schools, Prept’s mission to inspire a lifelong love of food, and the opportunities it brings has never been greater. The outreach we do with both schools and youth organisations would not be possible without the creative thinking of our partners such as Lockhart and we are immensely grateful for this latest initiative."
Other Prept partners include Truefoods, Wellocks and Gastronomy Plus.
Prept attended Lockhart’s Catering Innovation Show 2026, held yesterday (5 October) at London’s Business Design Centre, as the official charity partner. At the event, Prept organised a raffle to raise funds, with a top prize of a £5,000 catering equipment voucher, donated by Lockhart Catering Equipment. Tickets are available to purchase up until Wednesday 7 October.
