Parents urged to take up free meals entitlement (From Keighley News)

Parents urged to take up free meals entitlement

8:00am Thursday 28th January 2010

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Some primary schoolchildren in South Craven could be missing out on their entitlement to free school meals.

North Yorkshire’s school catering organisation said that last year up to 280 pupils a day across the county failed to take a free meal they were entitled to.

County Caterers said that with primary school dinners in North Yorkshire costing £2 a day, parents with two primary-age children could be missing out on nearly £800 of food a year for their youngsters.

Families whose annual household income is under £16,040 are eligible for the entitlement.

Also, claiming free school meals entitles families to obtain uniform grants when their children transfer to secondary school and enables their children to take part free in school trips to North Yorkshire outdoor centres.

A county council spokesman said: “In recent years, North Yorkshire has been pushing ahead to make school meals as fresh and nutritious as possible.

“All the food provided to schools is freshly prepared from scratch every day and most of it is 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 schoolchildren and 40 per cent of secondary students are now having a school meal, significantly above the national average and ahead of Government targets.

“Moreover, recent 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 per cent 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 are 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.”

A leaflet — “Free School Meals” — outlining who can claim is available from schools, libraries, children’s centres, Job Centre Plus and Citizens’ Advice Bureaux in the county.

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