Thousands of Islington families are reaping the benefits of Islington's pioneering 'free school meals for all' scheme.
Over 80 per cent of parents in Islington with children at nursery or primary school have now signed up for their children to receive the free meals – saving money on the weekly family budget and ensuring their children have a healthy and nutritious lunch.
Offering free school meals to all primary school children is a key part of Islington Council’s work to make the borough fairer.
After initially being piloted in six schools across the borough in September last year, the scheme is now available at all primary and nursery schools. Parents simply need to complete a registration form, available from their child’s school or nursery.
Islington Council’s executive member for children and young people, Cllr Richard Watts, said: “Free school meals for all is a success. Across the borough hundreds of children are now enjoying a healthy lunch because of this scheme.
“Under the old system the majority of children who missed out on a decent lunch belonged to families who lived around the poverty line. Ensuring that all Islington’s children are well fed is a crucial part of our work to make Islington fairer by giving every child the best start in life.”
Judy Hargadon, Chief Executive of the School Food Trust, said: “A good lunch isn’t just important for children’s health, but also for their performance in class so it’s fantastic to see so many families taking up Islington’s offer of a nutritious meal for free during the school day. This work will also help to build the evidence about the long-term benefits for children of good school food.”
