A round-up of facts found in this week's news

Almost 16% of primary and nursery children in England schools are now entitled to free school meals, according to The BBC.

This figure is up from 15.5% last year. And in secondary schools, 13.4% of children are eligible and in special schools, 12.1% are.

Data from the government found that in total, there are now 17,370 more pupils on free school meals than last year. These meals are free to families where parents receive benefits, or earn less than £15,575 a year.

Meanwhile the proportion of children in primary schools from ethnic minorities has risen to 24.5%, from 23.3% last year.

Out of the 400 managers and health workers who responded to the survey, nearly a quarter said the Department of Health's nutrition action plan, launched in October 2007, had improved care "not much" or "not at all".

Further research found that 17% felt it had improved care "a lot", 30% said "a little", while 29% did not know.

Annual turnover for Charlton House now standards at over £80m and the company employs 2,000 people nationwide.

Over 200 salads were served up at a Gloucester primary school one day last month under a new school meals contract.

At St Paul's Primary in Linden, 20 more school lunch customers saw an increase of 33%. At Stroud Valley School, 31% more pupils had school meals and Lydney Primary saw a 25% increase in uptake.

Related Articles:

• 17 Jun 2009 - Wirral schools get top marks for their dinners
• 15 May 2009 - Eden's Bristol City contract expanded by another 10 schools