The price of a primary school meal is to increase from the start of the new academic year.
Meals provided by the School Meals Service at primary schools will, from September, cost £2 – 5p more than they do at present.
Chris Wilson, Schools Catering Manager, said the increase from £1.95 had come about due to the rise in the price of food. He said the price still represents good value for money and the school meal provides a healthy and varied lunchtime option for more than half of primary school pupils, with take-up increasing year on year.
In the financial year that ended in April, the School Meals Service served up 645,734 meals, up from 611,450 in 2011/12. The take-up rate is well above that of England and exceeds all but two English regions.
Children of parents in receipt of Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employed Person’s Allowance or Income Support are eligible for free school meals, so they won’t be affected by the price increase.
Parents who want to sign up their children for free school meals should contact their school’s administrator. Schools collect money at the start of each half term.
