Gateshead children starting school this month are to be offered complimentary school lunches in a bid to boost health and the take-up of school meals.
Gateshead Council is launching the pilot September scheme to primary schools - those taking part will be able to offer new reception children up to five days worth of free school lunches.
It is hoped that the initiative will help to increase the take-up of school lunches across Gateshead, which currently stands at 45% - a figure slightly ahead of the national average.
Gateshead Council is funding the scheme so that pupils can “try before they buy”, the healthy menus on offer, and up to 1,400 children across the borough are expected to take part.
Councillor Catherine Donovan, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “Within Gateshead schools, 80% of our menu is home-made, locally sourced and cooked fresh on site every day, with a wide range of options.
“Hopefully by giving children the chance to try out these nutritious lunches for free it will show them, and their parents, how tasty school meals can be and encourage them to actively choose them in the future.
“The whole experience of sitting down with friends to eat a hot meal at lunch-time will also benefit both the children and their parents.”
During the week children will be able to choose from a two-course lunch, which includes a range of hot meals with vegetables, hot puddings, fruit, yoghurt and a drink, including milk, water and fruit juice.
For more information, please contact Gateshead Council’s free school meals helpline on 0800 169 2780.