27th Aug 2008 - 00:00
Abstract
Five-year-olds starting in Year one at school next week can look forward to a week of lunchtime treats, thanks to a giveaway from the Royal Borough and its school meals contractor Harrison Catering Services.
The unique scheme will prove that there is such a thing as a free lunch when more than 1,300 new Year one pupils in 42 borough schools tuck in to healthy midday meals – at no charge. The council and Harrison's have joined forces to introduce children to the nutritious menus available throughout the year in their school dining rooms. Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, said: "What a great way to give children a warm welcome to their new schools and help develop their appetites for the fresh, healthy meals that will sustain them through the day. "I hope parents of all our Year one pupils will allow their children to take advantage of this exciting offer because we believe that when the children have tasted the food for themselves and discovered just how delicious it is, they will want to carry on having school meals in the future." Letters have been sent to parents of new Year one pupils to let them know about the free lunches, encouraging them to use this opportunity to introduce their children to nutritious and delicious lunches right from their first day at school. Gareth Harrison, director group business for Harrison Catering Services, said: "School meals have moved on significantly since we took over the contract three years ago. We serve tasty, fresh food every day, using recipes that children recognise and enjoy. Freshly prepared, hot meals now cost only £2 per day, which represents fantastic value for money and a healthy way to keep concentration levels high throughout the school afternoon." The offer starts from Thursday September 4 and will run for up to seven days, ensuring that all Year one pupils benefit from at least a week of free lunches, regardless of which day their school opens after the summer holidays. During the week of free lunches the menu will be typical of the range of food available every week throughout the school year, meeting the government's new strict nutritional guidelines and offering fresh, healthy food, prepared and presented in ways that appeal to young children.