Contract caterer Sodexo gives free lunch to over 2,000 school pupils

The free lunch was available to around 1,500 pupils attending the 50 schools Sodexo operates at in Bromley, 600 pupils at 37 schools in Wiltshire and 72 pupils in Salisbury. In addition, Sodexo provided 145 meals to reception pupils in Rochdale over the period of one week. Sodexo wanted to give pupils the opportunity to try the food before signing up to school meals and to encourage them to experience the dining room at their new school. The children chose from roast pork with apple sauce and gravy; a vegetarian option such as spinach and ricotta ravioli or jacket potatoes with various fillings. They also had the choice of roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables and salad crudities to accompany their meal. Fresh homemade bread was also served along with yogurt and fruit slices for dessert. Colm O'Mahony, Sodexo Education divisional director, said: "We offered parents a chance for their children to enjoy the dining room experience and at the same time to try our food for free as we are confident that the choices we provide will suit all childrens' tastebuds. By signing up to school meals, pupils will get a nutritionally-balanced hot meal every day."