Don’t miss out on free school meals
Families across Warwickshire are being urged to make sure they aren’t missing out on free school meals for their children.
It is being made easier for parents or carers who receive certain benefits to claim free meals. And families are being urged to apply now ready for the next school year in a campaign which is being launched today.
Since September, a number of initiatives have been introduced to make dining halls a more attractive place to eat. A capital programme of investment is underway to improve school kitchens by installing new equipment.
Healthier ingredients have been added to the menu and meals each day are designed to make sure that they give children a balanced diet.
The number of children claiming free school meals is currently 6914 – around a tenth of the school population – and is slightly down on last year’s figure. Schools receive extra government funding for each child claiming free school meals.
Cllr John Burton, Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “It’s true – there is such a thing as a free lunch. With many secondary schools operating cashless systems, there is no need for children who receive school meals to stand out from the crowd. They do not have to stand in separate queues and are not treated any different to the rest of their classmates.
“Families can sometimes struggle to make ends meet and we want to make sure that children get the chance for a healthy balanced meal during the day. With the improvements that have been made over the past year we have seen more children enjoying our school meals and we want to make sure that no one misses out.”
Those eligible include parents receiving Income Support and Income-based Job Seekers Allowance. Families who receive Child Tax Credit and an annual taxable income of no more than £14,495 (providing Working Tax Credit is not in payment) also qualify.
Grandparents looking after grandchildren can also apply for free school meals if they receive the Minimum Income Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.
Those receiving support under Part VI of Immigration & Asylum Act 1999 also qualify.
More information and forms are available from schools, by visiting http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/schoolmeals or by calling 01926 742060.
Numbers children taking school meals in primary schools has risen by 23 per cent since the start of the school year.
A new summer menu has recently been launched with new dishes including saucy sausage pasta, sticky chicken with noodles and frittata omelette filled with cheese, potatoes and sweet peppers.
A new range of desserts are also being introduced such as; peach melba and carrot cake made with fresh carrots and orange juice.
As always the emphasis is on encouraging children to eat healthily, try new things and have fun at lunchtime.