South Somerset schools report rise in hot dinners

Since Somerset County Council launched their Transforming School Food Project in 2005, the number of schools in South Somerset serving hot school meals has grown from 12 in 2005 to 40 in 2008. Some 61% of all primary schools in Somerset now have access to hot school meals – up 31% in 2005. The Authority has a target of providing 66% of primary schools across the County with hot school meals by January 2009. The Council has invested grant funding in kitchen building and refurbishments across Somerset, and is also working on setting up delivery services that enable schools without kitchens to be delivered hot meals. Councillor Gloria Cawood, Somerset County Council's portfolio holder for education, said: "The work to increase hot school meals demonstrates Somerset County Council's support for schools to help ensure pupils are healthy and achieving. Encouraging children to eat a healthy diet is an important lesson they can carry with them all through their lives." Weblink: www.somerset.gov.uk