Local kids tuck into healthier school meals

Statistics indicate how more youngsters eating school meals, at a time when many other areas are seeing decreasing demand since new Govern-ment regulations demanded local authorities serve healthier meals and snacks.

The national trend is for fewer pupils to have school meals but the uptake in Doncaster remains steady across primary schools and has even increased in secondary schools.

Nationally, decreases of over 30 per cent are being experienced in secondary schools by some authorities, with the average decrease reported being 17 per cent. In contrast, Doncaster Council has seen an increase of 3 per cent.

In Doncaster's primary schools, 56 per cent of children take school meals compared with the national average of 40 per cent.

Coun Eva Hughes, cabinet member for children and public health said: "Nutrition plays such an important role in the wellbeing of young people and I am delighted that our secondary school menu is being enjoyed by more young people than ever before.

"We recognise that children will only benefit from our healthy menus if they like the food which is being served to them in their schools. These figures reflect that we are getting the balance right.

"I hope that this will encourage more young people to try them for themselves."

You can find out more information about school meals and free school meal entitlement at www.doncaster.gov.uk/schoolmeals or call 01302 734123.

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