Schools trial new lunch scheme
A new school meals scheme is being trialled at four schools across the county to increase the uptake in hot school lunches.
The initiative involves a whole school approach to healthy eating with teachers helping pupils to select food and a special wristband system to ensure children get the meal of their choice. Hurley Primary School in Atherstone, Abbots Farm Junior in Rugby, Briar Hill County Infant School in Whitnash and St Nicholas’ C of E Primary School in Alcester are piloting the new scheme, which is hoped to encourage pupils to eat hot lunches.
The emphasis on healthy eating starts when children enter the classroom each day. The class teacher has a discussion about the day’s menu and children are then able to make a selection of their choice, which is indicated by a colour-coded wristband. Each day children must have a balanced meal from the main food groups, including fruit and vegetables; meat, fish and alternatives; bread, cereals and potatoes; milk and dairy products.
John Alexander, Headteacher of Abbots Farm Junior School, said: “The scheme is already proving to be a great success and the feedback from parents is very positive. On some days we have seen the uptake in school meals rise by 40%.”
Lindsay Higgins, of Warwickshire’s County Caterers said: “We are always looking at ways to improve our service and we value working in partnership with schools. We feel that if children learn more about the food on offer each day, they will be more likely to choose a hot, nutritious lunch. We also devised the wristband system to assure parents and carers that whether their child is first or last in the dinner queue they will get the meal that they want and are paying for.”
It is also hoped that the wristband system will mean less time in the queue and more time at the dining table. If the system is successful it will be rolled out to other schools in the county.
Warwickshire County Council introduced balanced menus ahead of Government requirements and long before Jamie Oliver set foot in a school kitchen. The special ‘Winter Warmers’ menu was also recently launched by County Caterers to give children aged four to 11 varied, healthy, tasty options suitable for the winter.
More information is available from http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/school meals