The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Schools in South Holland should all be ready to offer free meals to children from September.
At the start of the new year, all schools will be obligated to offer free school dinners to all pupils in reception and years one and two as part of a Government project.
The scheme is aimed at ensuring all children receive at least one hot, nutritious meal a day.
It is widely believed that doing so can positively influence the eating patterns of children towards a healthier diet and reduce the risk of them becoming obese.
It can also increase attention in class and attainment levels.
But the programme has posed a number of challenges for schools in Lincolnshire, particularly smaller schools in rural areas which are not equipped to provide hot food.
Currently, the county has a “hub and spoke” delivery model, with 33 providers delivering meals to schools.
This can mean some meals are transported for long distances, lowering the quality of food on arrival and increasing the cost.
But the county council says it is “confident” 100 per cent of schools will have plans in place in time for September, as only four – none in South Holland – still do not have arrangements in place.
But it has warned that there is still “some risk” that a small number of schools may only be able to offer cold food at first.
A report to the council’s Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee, which is due to meet tomorrow, will say: “The position in Lincolnshire remains challenging, particularly in rural areas where many smaller schools lack in-house food preparation areas.
“However the situation is improving on a weekly basis.
“Once we have achieved 100 per cent coverage from September, further work will be required to develop a more sustainable delivery model within the county.”
But the report does go on to say: “The challenge is exacerbated by the lack of one central catering team, a shortfall of school kitchen and the sparse geography of our county.
“All of the aforementioned have led to a system that is fragile, overcomplicated, expensive and overly susceptible to private sctor suppliers’ business decision.”
Lincolnshire has been allocated £1.2million capital to support projects that prepare for the large increase in meal provision.
Previously only 30 per cent of children in Lincolnshire have had hot school dinners, but the new target is for 70 per cent of children to partake.
The report adds: “We are working closely with schools to help them identify what they need to do ready for September.
“Our support will include sourcing food supply, advising on food hygiene, brokering solutions available nationally and providing capital funding for improvement schemes that meet certain criteria.”
