Knowsley is bucking the national trend by increasing its investment in primary school meals and children eating healthier in the borough.

Knowsley’s commitment to healthy eating in primary schools is stronger than ever with a £700,000 investment over the next two years. This will provide all 58 schools with their own kitchens and cooks, a first for Knowsley and Merseyside.

All Knowsley’s primary schools will have full production kitchens this year and all 60 cooks trained to NVQ level 2 in professional cookery.
St Peter and Paul’s, Kirkby is one of the schools celebrating cooking their own lunches without being dependent on a neighbouring school producing them.

Mr Joe White, St Peter and Paul’s Head teacher, said: “Here in Knowsley we are committed to healthy eating and providing every pupil with a well balanced nutritious meal. Since the beginning of term the number of school meals has gone up dramatically, from 90 to 150 so here it truly is a case of the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Since the number of school meals has increased we have noticed our pupils are concentrating and participating in lessons even more.”

Knowsley currently serves 8,000 primary school meals a day. With the menus providing youngsters with more fruit and vegetables than ever before, each child receives at least two portions a day, one of vegetables or salad and at least one piece of fruit.

Joe went on to say: “Our school meals are such a hit that even after one of our pupils was taken ill he refused to go home with his parent until he had finished his school meal.”

The council is keen to promote school meals because of the many benefits. A hot meal at lunchtime provides energy to concentrate throughout the school day especially during the winter, children also learn social skills that eating and interacting with others bring and at £1.45 for a two course meal it’s the best value around.