As families prepare for the new school year, Hampshire County Council is encouraging parents and carers of children in Reception Year, Year 1 and Year 2 (aged 4 to 7 years old) to help their child thrive with a free and nutritious school lunch from the County Council’s award-winning catering service, HC3S
Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Human Resources and Performance, Councillor Stephen Reid, said: “All children in Reception Year, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school lunches under the Government’s Universal Infant Free School Meal programme, which can save parents over £400 a year while providing peace of mind that their child is getting a healthy and nutritious meal to boost their learning.
“Our award-winning HC3S team delivers high-quality, balanced and tasty school meals, with more than 75% of all school meals being cooked entirely from scratch. Each meal includes a meat or non-meat main item, vegetables, potato, pasta or rice, salad and a dessert, and is developed exactly according to School Food Plan guidelines to ensure they’re packed with the right nutritional content.”
Endorsed by the Soil Association’s Food for Life Served Here Award, HC3S’s delicious primary school lunch menus are always nut free. Vegan meal options are available and special diets for pupils with allergies and intolerances can also be accommodated. As part of HC3S’s commitment to climate change, school meals do not include any single-use plastic.
Councillor Reid continued: “HC3S has worked closely with each individual primary school in Hampshire to ensure the safety of pupils, and school and HC3S staff, so parents can be confident their child’s school meals are being prepared and served in safe and strictly controlled environments.”
To find out more about how a child can flourish with a free, healthy and nutritious school lunch, visit www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/hc3s/education-catering.
Older children may be eligible for free school meals. Visit www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/freeschoolmeals for more information.
