Wokingham

School meals in the Wokingham district are set to get a boost in the autumn term as Wokingham District Council this week (August 1) enters into a new school meal contract which will bring fresh, healthy and tasty food to school dining rooms across the district.

Tunbridge Wells based company Edwards & Ward will take over the Wokingham school meal contract and pupils will benefit from fresh, healthy and nutritionally balanced meals and will be given a daily choice of hot or cold food. The menus already meet the Caroline Walker Trust guidelines - core guidelines adhered to by all local authorities, which provide nutrient-based standards for school food.

Wokingham District Council is committed to ensuring continued ongoing improvements to the school meal service. Under these new arrangements, the council will also exceed the new government guidelines, by providing fresh food, which will be freshly cooked by the catering staff in 38 school kitchens across the district. Pupils are set to reap the benefits from fresh meat, vegetables and organic produce from local suppliers across the south of England including Berkshire, Wiltshire and Oxfordshire.

Cllr Rob Stanton, executive member for corporate services, said: “Pupils and their families demand a high standard, which is why the council will ensure that they receive excellent school meals of a high quality. It’s important that the council, along with the contractors, increase the numbers of children receiving a quality meal at school.

“The council is keen to encourage good dining and social skills and a well-balanced nutritional meal goes a long way to increase attention levels in the class room. This in turn increases brain function and energy, making our children much healthier.

“By ensuring that all food and drink in schools is healthy and nutritious, the council is making it even easier for children to stick to the healthy options and to enjoy the long-term health benefits that come with that.”

Wokingham council, in partnership with Edwards & Ward, will deliver a fresh flexible school meal, based on the needs of the school, to ensure all of its pupils enjoy their midday lunch break

Wokingham District Council