Food, Glorious Food: Lancashire School Lunch Special

Munch a Great School Lunch! Evidence shows that eating a nutritionally balanced school meal can affect behaviour and learning ability. By committing to a regular school meal you can be sure your child is eating well at lunchtime, whilst developing valuable social skills.

Most Lancashire children receive a daily choice of meat or non meat, vegetarian, unlimited salad, three of their five-a-day fruit and vegetables, more oily fish, healthier drinks and no confectionary or added salt. Special diets are also catered for. So what should you choose for your child... school lunches or a packed lunch?




One of the most interesting facts to think about is that a well fed and happy child is more likely to be receptive to participating in afternoon school activities and have higher concentration levels, something that is very important for your child's education. So does your packed lunch provide all the benefits of a school meal?

Some schools allow you to swap and choose, alternating between school lunches and your own packed lunch and they are great value at around £1.75. All lunches are prepared daily and in some schools your child will be given a choice from the menu in their morning reception. Their meal is then prepared especially for them!

Because of the increasing use of fresh, local food, over the last two years the catering service in Lancashire has made a significant investment in the craft skills and professional training of their front line catering staff. All cooks attend a networking session where new ideas are shared to increase the level of care to their special customers.... our children!

 

Here are a few of the scrumptious recipes your child can choose from the daily school menu...

Day 1 example: Menu Choice

Beef Casserole with Country Vegetables and Creamed Potato.
(v) Pineapple Pizza with half a Baked Jacket Potato
Broccoli Florets, Baked Beans, Salad Bar
Strawberry Rice, Fresh Fruit or Yogurt
Chilled Water, Fruit Juice or Fresh Milk


Day 2 example: Menu Choice


Fruity Chicken with Rice and Naan Bread
Chip Shop Fish with Thick Cut Chips
Garden Peas, Salad Bar
Cheese and Biscuits with a bunch of Grapes
Fresh Fruit or Yogurt
Chilled Water, Fruit Juice or Fresh Milk

Day 3 example: Menu Choice

Roast Beef and Yorkshire Pudding with Roast Potatoes and Gravy
(v) Pasta Bake with Quorn
Broccoli, Sweetcorn, Salad Bar
Banana Split (a health version of an old favourite)
Fresh Fruit or Yogurt
Chilled Water, Fruit Juice or Fresh Milk

Day 4 example: Menu Choice

Grilled Gammon & Pineapple with Jacket Wedges
(v) Freshly made Tomato and Lentil Soup with Hot Filled Baguettes
Roasted Vegetables, Salad Bar
Fresh Fruit Platter and Shortbread Biscuit
Fresh Fruit or Yogurt
Chilled Water, Fruit Juice or Fresh Milk

You can view the full menu by visiting www.schoollunches.lancashire.gov.uk

All these recipes have recently been re-created to include more fruit and vegetables and the salad bar encourages your child to enjoy a little salad with each meal combination.

Many parents often say that they struggle to get their children to eat a selection of fruit and vegetables at home; eating in an environment with many other children tucking into three of their five-a-day can have a positive effect on this.

Oily fish is included as part of the Lancashire School Lunch menu. Containing Omega-3 oil it is an essential food for our diet playing an important roll in your child's immune system and their general health and development.

Making sure that your child has a healthy well balanced diet does not mean that all of their favourite foods are taken away - however the menu's contain no more than two deep-fried foods, such as chips and batter coated products in a single week - helping to control your child's intake of fat.

If you are in receipt of income support or job seekers allowance, your child may be entitled to free school meals. Ask for an application form from your school or local education office.

The catering service in Lancashire is very pro-active when it comes to working with parents and we react positively to feedback, requests and suggestions from parents.

For more information visit www.schoollunches.lancashire.gov.uk