Primary kids in North Yorkshire are still missing out on free school meals

Figures from County Caterers - North Yorkshire County Council's school catering arm - reveal that last year up to 280 pupils daily didn't take the free meal they are entitled to. With primary school dinner prices in North Yorkshire fixed at £2.00 a day, parents with two primary-age children could be missing out on nearly £800 of healthy food for their children each year. All the food provided to schools is freshly prepared from scratch every day and most of it locally sourced. One thousand more primary pupils in the county enjoyed the benefits of a nutritious school lunch last term compared to the previous year. This means that nearly half of all North Yorkshire's primary school children and 40% of secondary students are now having a school meal, significantly above the national average and ahead of Government targets. However, other findings have shown that packed lunches do not provide a healthy alternative. The School Food Trust has publicised research into children's school lunch boxes which reveals that just 1% of packed lunches for primary schoolchildren come up to Government nutritional standards set out for school meals. County Councillor Jim Clark, executive member for schools said: "We would like all children to benefit from our top quality school meals and there is really no reason why any that are entitled should miss out on the free school meal service. "Many more children now enjoying an exciting range of tasty, nutritious meals all cooked from scratch from local produce in our school kitchens. Research shows that children who have at least one good meal a day in the company of others are in a better position to make the most of their education." To help parents find out if they are eligible, County Caterers have produced the leaflet "Free School Meals" which is available through all schools, libraries, Children's Centres, Job Centre Plus and CABs in the county.