28th Jul 2008 - 00:00
Abstract
Up to 40 new school kitchens are due to be built across the county over the next three years after the County Council's successful bid for £4.416m has been confirmed by the Government.
Hot school dinner take-up across Lincolnshire schools has significantly increased over the last year, bucking national trends. Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children's Services, said: "This is great news for Lincolnshire schools and means we can make further progress with hot school meals for our school children. The new kitchens will be provided in those areas which are identified as having the most need, and where they will be most effective." Primary school take-up has increased from 8,729 in 2007 to 11,174 in 2008, whilst take-up in secondary schools has remained fairly constant at 20,496 compared to 20,172 in 2007 – although this followed a 12% rise from the previous year. Currently 223 primary schools receive hot school meals out of a total of 283, with two more starting prior to the summer break (79.5% in total). Of these, thirty private catering suppliers provide meals for 159 primary schools and thirty primary, secondary or special schools provide meals for an additional 64 primary schools.