Hampshire makes it easier to apply for free school meals

Hampshire County Council's Catering Service (HC3S) is now able to check whether parents can claim free school meals, through a new government initiative called the 'Hub'. Parents and guardians simply complete a form of basic information at home and return it to HC3S via the school, therefore avoiding the need to provide proof of eligibility at school sites. Within days, parents will receive word of whether their children can receive free meals via the school. The new process ensures pupils who are eligible, receive their free meals faster, while schools spend less time on administration in this area. Almost two-thirds of Hampshire schools have already signed up to the service with more set to follow as the new school year begins. Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber said: "With the recession still biting and redundancies affecting many families in Hampshire, it is important that all children entitled for free school meals, get them. "It's vital that every pupil gets a balanced meal at school because a healthy diet is linked to improved well-being, better behaviour and an increased ability to learn. Our pupils can select a main meal, a side helping of vegetables or salad and a dessert, which combine to make up a third of the recommended daily nutrient requirement for a child. "We know that the most important thing for pupils is taste and because HC3S staff aim to produce meals that are enjoyable as well as nutritional, they are always keen to hear the views of children for ideas on how to improve their menus." Parents and children across Hampshire can have their say on which dishes they would like to see on the next school meals menu cycle, by voting for their favourite meals online. New feedback pages are available where parents and pupils can rate the meals and add their comments.