The price of a school meal is to rise for the first time in two years.
 
Meals provided by the School Meals Service at primary schools will, from the start of the new school year in September, cost ?1.95 – 10p more than they do at present.
 
Chris Wilson, Schools Catering Manager, said: ‘The increase has come about due to the steady increase in food price inflation over that period.’
 
Schools are informing parents of the price rise.
 
The School Meals Service serves more than 600,000 meals a year, or more than 3,000 per week, in primary schools.
 
Mr Wilson said: ‘Our meals are more popular year on year, with more than half of all primary school children eating a school meal.’
 
Children of parents in receipt of Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employed Person’s Allowance or Income Support are eligible for free school meals.