Start the new term the right way!

As pupils across the county are preparing to go back to school, Carmarthenshire County Council’s Award winning Catering Services team are urging parents to ensure their children start the term the right way – with a healthy breakfast and lunch in their bellies.

For just £2.20 a day, pupils having school meals can enjoy a refreshment, main meal and pudding which has been carefully measured to ensure nutritional content.

Each school meal accounts for one-third of a child’s daily nutritional intake and within a school setting children benefit from the healthiest lunches possible, receiving a well-balanced, tasty dish which can prolong their energy for their afternoon lessons.

Over a week, they also work out cheaper than buying separate ingredients to fill packed lunches, and the variety of meals also beats a daily sandwich.

Catering Services Manager, Sandra J Weigel, said:” The choices children and their parents make about their diet can have a big impact on their health and learning.

“We offer children a varied menu with plenty of their favourites, including a weekly roast dinner, and a variety of foods from around the world, including curry and pasta.

The nutritional value of every school meal is measured using specialist software to ensure that all meals comply with school nutritional standards which became legislative law in September 2013.

There are also 100 free breakfast clubs in Carmarthenshire – one of the highest in Wales – allowing children to eat a nutritious breakfast with their friends to kick-start the day, as well as giving parents an extra half hour spare after dropping their kids off each morning.

Executive board member for catering services, Cllr Colin Evans, said: “When children do not eat a healthy breakfast and lunch, it’s harder for them to concentrate during lessons and to find that additional energy for after school activities.”

For further information visit www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 246521 or email facilitiesmanagement@carmarthenshire.gov.uk