From September 2014 any child in Reception, Year One or Year Two is entitled to a Free School Meal.

Caterlink are our providers of hot school meals. 

Their details are as follows:

Email:info@caterlinkltd.co.uk

Ordering Website: Via School Gateway

Office hours: 9am – 4pm Monday to Friday 020 7 6151 ext 2

You can order: Online

There is however a minimum payment of £10.00 required to use this system. This can be split across two or more children and can be any combination as long as the payment is £10.00

 Current Price per meal: £2.40. From April 2023: £2.60

In order to ensure that all staff, including the catering team from Caterlink, continue to receive the National Living Wage as a minimum we need to increase the cost of the school meal. 

In the current climate, we appreciate that this is very disappointing. However, we have no alternative but to increase the cost of school meals from April 2023 from £2.40 to £2.60.

 

How to Keep Packed Lunches Healthy and Interesting

Nutritional Therapist, Amanda Ashy-Boyd, recognises this can be challenging, but urges all parents to “give children food that they know and love, and most importantly give them food that is real.” 

 

“Instead of biscuits, pack some purple grapes or blueberries. A cheap and easy protein option is a boiled egg. Protein is so important for children for many reasons, and one reason is to help keep their blood sugar balanced, which will help to keep their attention focussed. Also, make sure they get their veggies like corn, carrot or cucumber, which provides fibre and hydration. Even if it’s the same veg every day, pack it, along with one they might not be too receptive to, like red bell pepper for example – eventually they might try it. And, truly, avoid concentrated juice at all costs – this will not serve your child in anyway – water is the best option.

 

Keep it healthy at lunch time, and they will thrive for the rest of the day. Kids need brain food, and biscuits, cobbler and crackers won’t do them any favours. Treats are fun for lunch, so it’s okay to include them occasionally, but sticking with natural yogurt and fruit as their dessert, is the best option. Here are some ideas for healthy packed lunches for kids.”

Ideas: 

– eggy muffins

– mashed banana & egg pancakes

– egg & cheese muffins

– turkey, cheese, cucumber wraps

– smoked salmon & cream cheese rolls

– tuna wraps

– cheese sandwich

– hummus & tomato sandwich

– quinoa, lemon & olive oil

– boiled egg

– veggies: olives, pickles, cucumber, carrot, bell pepper, green beans, celery, frozen peas, corn, left over cooked broccoli

– fruit: tangerine, grapes, berries, kiwi, sliced avocado, plum tomatoes, half a banana in skin, raisins, dates, apricots

– extras: cheese, natural yoghurt with a little honey, pretzels, popcorn, rice pudding, hummus, cream cheese, muffins, fruit rolls, pom-bear potato snack.

 

(Taken from www.thehealthyhappybaby.com)

 

If you would like more lunch box ideas, browse through the above website or search for amandaashyboyd on Instagram.