How it works
At Wharrier St. Walker a ‘packed lunch’ bar has been introduced as part of the key changes to the school meal service. This has been undertaken to address concerns raised about some of the home prepared packed lunches which contained a foods high in fat, salt and sugar.
How they did it
At the packed lunch bar, pupils select five items including a sandwich, salad snack, fruit, a home-made sweet snack, and a drink which is either water or milk.
Ownership of the ‘packed lunch’ bar, and the improved meal experience as a whole, ultimately belongs with the pupils. Forty pupils have volunteered to help supervise the ‘packed lunch’ bar, each working one day a week. The children act as a source of information at the plated meal display, advising the other children on tasty foods to buy. The school itself has funded the leasing of the ‘packed lunch’ bar from specific funding for school meal improvement and the school’s general overall budget.
What was the Impact
The immediate impact has meant more choice for the children. The shift from home packed lunch to school packed lunch also ensures the children eat a well-balanced meal, with increased consumption of healthier foods including fruit and vegetables. Children entitled to free school meals also have the opportunity to have a packed lunch which adds to the overall appeal and take-up off free school meals.
Josette McDonald, Cook in Charge highlights…….”the take-up of meals at the ‘packed lunch bar’ has exceeded expectations’ and on asking the pupils why this is, the answer is simple: – ‘It’s good to be able to help ourselves to what we want’.
Overall, the number of children eating a school meal has increased. Furthermore, Wendy Rickwood observes that “the children have taken ownership of their dining hall and the whole lunchtime experience”. Now that the packed lunch bar is operating smoothly at Key Stage 2, the school plans to extend it for Key Stage 1 pupils.
Looking to the future, the ‘School Food Group’ are introducing curriculum linked plans to further educate the children about healthy eating and to negotiate further with parents to bring about change in the lunches brought into school from home.
Contact details:
If you would like further information regarding this case study then please feel free to contact the School Food Trust on 0800 089 5001. Alternatively please feel free to email any enquiries to info@sft.gsi.gov.uk Thank you.
