Every year in North Yorkshire up to 460 primary school kids are not claiming the free schools meals they are entitled to have, according to figures from County Caterers.

 

With primary school dinner prices in North Yorkshire fixed at £1.80 a day, parents with two primary-age children could be missing out on nearly £650 of healthy food for their children each year.

 

Families whose household income is less than £15,575 annually are now eligible for the entitlement which will ensure their children enjoy a healthy and nutritionally balanced meal every day. Meat and poultry is fresh and locally sourced from Yorkshire and the East of England, as are fruit and vegetables. Food is prepared and freshly cooked each day and the fat used in baking does not contain hydrogenated fats.

 

This drive for quality and freshness means that the take-up for school meals in North Yorkshire is already above the 46 per cent national target set by the School Food Trust.

 

County Councillor John Watson, executive member for schools said: "We would like all children to benefit from these top quality meals and there is really no reason why any that are entitled should miss out on the free school meal service."