National School Meals week – more children eating school dinners

During National School Meals Week (8^th-12^th November), uptake of school dinners continues to rise across the county – from just over 7,000 meals a day a year ago to 8,600 a day now.

Gloucestershire’s schools now have many new and refurbished kitchens, new transport boxes and hot servicing trolley for schools that receive a delivered service. The menu includes more locally sourced, fresh vegetables and meat.

The changes have been brought about through a lot of work by the county council and main school meals contractor, Edwards and Ward, which provides meals for 167 primary and special schools in the county.

Kirsty Pritchard, school meals manager at the county council, said: “This continued move from packed lunches to hot school meals is a glowing testament to Edwards and Ward and Gloucestershire County Council who have worked hard to improve meals.”

A recent survey of 19,000 pupils showed that children and young people really appreciate the changes.

Cllr Jackie Hall, Cabinet member for schools, said: “Providing tasty school meals that are well balanced and packed with goodness is crucial. I hope the new winter menu appeals to pupils and that the take-up of school meals will increase.”