New dishes will be on the menu when primary pupils return to school after half term.
Menus are rotated every four weeks but are overhauled every six months to coincide with the start of colder and warmer weather.
More than half of all primary pupils now enjoy a school meal. Take-up is rising steadily and is well above the English average.
In 2012, the School Meals Service served up 645,734 meals, up from 611,450 in 2011.
Meals pass 14 key nutritional standards.
Chris Wilson, who heads the School Meals Service, said: ‘It is especially important that children at a young age eat a balanced diet that contains all the nutrients that will enable them to perform at their best and enjoy life to the full.
‘However, it’s all about balance. So after half term, for example, pear and honey cake, St Clement’s sponge and sticky toffee pudding will be on offer but they will be balanced over the week by fruit and yogurt.’
Chris said: ‘It’s amazing how many fussy eaters will try food in a school environment that they might not try at home. As the school lunch plays a vital role in a child’s daily diet and education, we aim to make lunchtime an enjoyable experience where children can explore new dishes and traditional favourites.’
School meals cost ?2 a day. Children of parents in receipt of Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employed Person’s Allowance or Income Support are eligible for free school meals.
Parents who want to sign up their children for free school meals should contact their school’s administrator. Schools collect money at the start of each half term.
Parents are also invited to visit the School Meals Service’s wiki https://www2.sch.im/groups/schoolmeals1/.
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