School dinner numbers up 75% during promotion

The pilot, which offered children in 20 local primary schools all meals for £1, saw school meal take-up rise from 6,360 a week to an average of 11,242 during the first half of the spring term. During the trial, some schools more than doubled the number of children usually served. By offering meals at almost half price - with the support of North Somerset Council and the council's school meal caterers, Edwards & Ward - the School Food Trust aimed to reach pupils who had not tried a school meal before, or perhaps only had a meal occasionally. The trust's director of communications, Chris Wainwright, said: "We know that if children and parents tried school meals for an extended period, they will start to see the benefits for children's health, wellbeing and focus in school. The challenge now is to keep them coming back for more. "What this pilot suggests very clearly is that if you keep prices low you can significantly increase the number of children eating a well-balanced school lunch – which is serious food for thought for all local authorities, particularly in this tough economic climate." School Food Trust research has found that on average, school lunches contain less fat, salt and sugar than packed lunches, and they're more likely to include fruit, vegetables and healthier drinks. In fact, 72% of children taking school lunch choose vegetables, versus only 6% who bring their lunch from home.