Royal Greenwich School Meals Are A Hit With Children – Now Parents Are Urged To Sign Up

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

A healthy square meal each day gives pupils the balance of nutrients they need to stay active and improve concentration – which is why the Royal Borough is teaming up with schools and caterers to ensure that parents appreciate the benefits.

* Assorted meals on display at lunch at Middle Park Primary School,Eltham. (Photo Credit: RBG) 

New menus launched this term will ensure over 90% of ingredients are freshly sourced and prepared, with food prepared in the healthiest way possible – nothing is fried, for instance.

A total of 2,850,000 school meals are served every year in schools across the Royal Borough, providing children with the key nutritional dietary requirements and saving families money.

The focus on fresh ingredients ties in with the Good Food in Greenwich partnership, which brings together caterers, the council, schools, food businesses and community groups to promote healthy, affordable and sustainable food in schools and across the borough.

Cllr John Fahy, Deputy Leader of the Royal Borough and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “It’s fantastic that children who attend Royal Borough schools are getting the very best healthy meals. Our support of the Good Food in Greenwich charter means the quality of our food and preparation standards far exceed Government guidelines. And the increasing take up of school dinners reflects the hard work of schools, caterers and the Council.

“I hope more children continue to enjoy eating at school and I would encourage parents to sign up for a school meal for their children – especially if they qualify for free meals.”

Like most schools in the Royal Borough, Middle Park primary school, Eltham, has its meals supplied by Incito Education Catering, formerly known as GS Plus Catering, which was set up by the Royal Borough to run catering in schools across the borough.

Headteacher Donna Adkinson said: “The kitchen plays an integral part in the school and we are very lucky to have a fantastic catering manager and catering staff that provide our children with the very best nutritional diet that is both enjoyable and healthy. The afternoon lunch plays an important part in teaching too, as the children are more engaged on a full stomach and settled.

“Staff join the children for lunch in the hall too, which is a really nice opportunity for them to talk to each other in a different way and enjoy the food together as families do at home over dinner.”

On average families in Greenwich save up to £340 a year per child when they eat free school meals.

Under a national scheme all infant children in Reception, Year One and Year Two are entitled to a free school meal. Children in Years Three, Four, Five and Six, as well as secondary school pupils, can claim free school meals if their parents are eligible for one of the following benefits:

Income Support

Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

Support under part six of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Child Tax Credit (provided you do not receive Working Tax Credit and your annual income does not exceed £16,190)

Pension Credit Guarantee

Child Tax Credit.

For more information on claiming free school meals, parents can request a form at the school office or visit www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/schoolmeals.

For more information on Good Food in Greenwich visit www.goodfoodingreenwich.org.

* A Child collects her meal during lunch at Middle Park Primary
School, Eltham. (Photo Credit: RBG)

Children collect their meals during lunch at Middle Park Primary
School, Eltham. (Photo Credit: RBG)