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Every day more than 50,000 school meals are served in Kent. Many
primary schools and some senior schools are in a county contract.
All other schools undertake their own arrangements either in house
or through a commercial contractor.
The county contract has been divided into small cluster groups
of schools and on 1st August 2006 six different companies started
operating the various sized contracts. The contract runs until 31
July 2009.
The main objective is to provide an affordable, attractive,
well-balanced nutritious meal that reflects today's healthy eating
habits.
Where a school has chosen to make their own arrangements, it is
the governing body of that school who is responsible for ensuring
the service meets government and KCC standards.
New Government Nutritional Standards
The interim food-based standards came into force September 2006.
The Kent school meals specification has been based on these
standards and contractors are expected to at least match if not
better the standards.
Food based standards for school food other than
lunch apply from September 2007. These standards apply to
all food and drink provided to pupils during a school day (up to
6pm). 'A guide to introducing the Government's new food-based
standards for all school food other than lunches' is available from
the
School Food Trust. (This link opens in a new
window)
Nutrient-based standards and new food-based standards for school
lunches apply to primary schools by september 2008 and secondary
schools by September 2009 at the latest.
'A guide to introducing the Government's food-based and
nutrient-based standards for school lunches' is available from the
School Food Trust. (This link opens in a new
window)
Please also visit the
Free School Meals page for information on eligibility and the
application process. |