A service which provides nutritionally balanced lunches to primary school children is due to be extended to St Martin’s and St Peter’s primary schools.
The service – which is a collaboration between the Government of Jersey and local charity Caring Cooks – currently provides lunches at Janvrin, Samarès and St Luke’s primary schools.
For £2.50, each student receives a nutritionally balanced main meal and a desert, with many students are eligible for free meals.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Scott Wickenden, said: “It’s vitally important that students have daily access to nutritious food at school, and this scheme can help support parents to achieve that.
“Better nutrition can support children’s learning, and their long-term development, and it’s a key part of our commitment to Putting Children First.
“We originally launched the two-year pilot scheme in 2019. Unfortunately, we had to extend the pilot due to the school closures from the COVID-19 pandemic. I’m pleased that we’re now able to continue to roll out of the scheme, following COVID-related impacts on schools.
“We are aiming by the end of the pilot in June, so that the scheme should be rolled out to a further six schools in September 2022.”
Deputy Wickenden added: “I would like to thank Caring Cooks for all their work in helping the Government to deliver this pilot. Providing hot, nutritious meals in every school remains a priority for me. We, of course have a challenge, given how many of our school buildings don’t yet have the facilities to serve food to modern health and safety requirements.
“Once the pilot scheme has run its course, we’ll have a full set of data, which will allow us to plan for the future rollout of the service.”
