Added: 29/05/2008

Category: Suffolk County Council

As the family budget is set to rise with the increase in food prices, the county council would like to remind families that the price of school meals is exceptional value and will not be increasing in the near future.
The price of a school meal has not changed since April 2007. A healthy and nutritious school meal will cost pupils £1.80. We care about the food we prepare, and believe that school catering should be an integral part of school life and learning. We encourage children and try to develop their enjoyment, understanding and appreciation of good food.

Children use up a great deal of energy during a full school day and need to concentrate during lessons, and recharge their batteries for the afternoon. Eating a school lunch helps to achieve this and provides a hot, healthy, nutritionally balanced meal. A high proportion of Suffolk school lunches are homemade dishes and provide choice and variety to suit all tastes. They are value for money and are convenient for parents - no need to prepare a packed lunch. Eating a prepared meal at lunchtime also teaches children the social skills involved in eating with others, how to make choices and allows children to relax in a safe, supervised environment with friends.

By opting for a school lunch parents can ensure their child has a healthy lunch which is also outstanding value for money. Patricia O'Brien, Portfolio Holder for Children, Schools and Young People's Services said: "We have managed to hold the meal price at £1.80 by carefully controlling our costs and utilising government funding to best effect. We are continually reviewing the situation and hope to maintain this selling price until at least November 2008. Suffolk school meals are popular and now represent even greater value for money. With the continued support of parents, pupils and schools we hope to be able to keep the meals competitively priced."

Suffolk County Catering Services will be holding cooking demonstrations throughout the day at the Suffolk Show, so why not come along to Suffolk County Councils stand and taste the great food for yourself? A tasty menu has been designed by students of Stoke By Nayland Middle School, who took part in a menu competition run by the county council's catering team. Middle and High School pupils entered the menu competition, which challenged students to write a two course lunch menu, using a good proportion of seasonal and local ingredients that would be available April and July.

You will find Suffolk County Council's display at pitch number 602 on Flower Show Avenue.

For more information on Suffolk County Catering Service please visit: http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/EducationAndLearning/Schools/SuffolkCountyCatering/ Or alternatively please visit the 'my school lunch' website, a interactive website for parents, teachers and children. http://www.myschoollunch.co.uk/suffolk/