Plans to deliver free school lunch to all infant-aged children in Bath and North East Somerset are well advanced ready for the start of the new school year in September.
From 3rd September, all children in Key Stage 1 (reception, year 1 and year 2) will have the option to receive free hot meals.
Bath & North East Somerset Council has worked with local infant and primary schools to make sure that school kitchens will be fully equipped and adapted ready for the service to start.
Schools that do not have kitchens will receive fresh and healthy hot food each day, transported in from a nearby ‘hub’ kitchen and served by catering staff.
The Government has provided £406,000 for this work and the Council has added an extra £100,000 to add extra capacity to ensure the schools and the Council’s catering service can expand as demand rises.
Cllr Paul Crossley, Leader of the Council said: “We are really delighted with this initiative; it demonstrates a commitment to getting the first years of school right for children. Our schools, children’s and catering services teams have worked very hard to make sure that everything is ready for September.”
Peasedown St John Primary School is one of the schools that has benefited from a new production kitchen. Headteacher, Julia Battersby, said: “We are thrilled with the new kitchen and it has already made a huge difference to the quality of food we are able to offer children.
“Our school cook, Nicky Bray, is working with the children to develop our own school menu so that the food continues to be delicious and nutritious, and appeals to all children.
“Recent taster sessions for parents have also been a huge success. The number of children eating a school meal has already increased and we hope that as many children as possible will take up the offer of free school meals in September.
“With our new kitchen, new cook, our pupil Bistro Buddies and restyled Rumbling Tum café we feel we are fully prepared.”
Larkhall community kitchen is being expanded into a larger ‘hub’ kitchen and will provide hot meals to four local schools without kitchen facilities. St Michaels is also becoming a hub kitchen and will provide meals to two schools and four local nurseries.
Small production kitchens are also being put in at Newbridge and St Stephens. 15 mobile hot trolleys have been delivered to schools that require extra service areas. Kitchens at Freshford School and Farmborough School are being upgraded and a new washing and servery area is being put in at Combe Down.
Cllr Dine Romero, Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, said: “This is a really excellent initiative by the Government and is whole heartedly supported by the Council. The pilot councils that were originally involved have been able to evidence improved learning and behaviour amongst children and that can only be a good thing.”
Every school has also been offered the opportunity to meet the Council’s Food Forum, looking at the dining room environment and layout in a bid to cut queuing times, decrease noise and make the lunchtime experience sociable and enjoyable.
