Government Nutritional Standards For School Lunches
 
 
These new regulations set minimum nutritional standards and came into effect in April 2001 in all schools.
 
  • The new standards are based on the four main food groups.
    - Fruit and vegetables
    - Starchy foods
    - Meat, fish and other non-dairy sources of protein
    - Milk and dairy foods


  • Each day one portion from each group shall be available and in addition a fruit and vegetable must be available every day.

  • Food from the starch group cooked in fat or oil must not be available on more than three days a week.

  • Red meat must be available twice a week and fish at least once a week.


  • Cheese dishes may be included in the meat/protein group.

  • Hampshire Caterers are Hampshire County Councils in-house catering service and serve over 43,000 meals a day. We are non-profit making, so all resources are spent on satisfying your children and you as parents/guardians.

  • By working closely with the community dietitians to ensure every menu is checked for nutritional balance we can give you the peace of mind that a nutritionally balanced meal is on offer every day at school.

  • Hampshire Caterers are committed to healthy eating and work with local dietitians to endorse the Heartbeat award scheme. Look out for the on the daily menu as these items are lower in fat and where possible high in fibre and low in sugar.

  • Did you know:
    - Catering staff are encouraged wherever possible to oven cook and grill instead of frying food.
    - Foods with artificial flavourings and colourings are avoided wherever possible.
    - Fat, sugar and salt have been reduced in homemade cakes and biscuits.
    - Wholemeal flour is incorporated into many of our recipes.
    - Fresh fruit and vegetables, low fat drinks and yoghurts are available daily.
    - Rice, pasta and jacket potatoes are frequently included in our menus.
    - We can adapt menus for children with special diets.
    - In addition to the statutory nutritional standards our menus also meet the nutritional guidelines for school meals as recommend by the Caroline Walker Trust.
    - Our meals do not contain detectable modified ingredients.

  • Some schools choose not to serve beef and offer an alternative.

  • School meals are great value for money; just £1.35 buys a tasty, nutritious 2-course meal.
    •  
    If you have any comments or suggestions about the school meal service please contact:

    Sue Carroll
    Hampshire Caterers
    27-29 Market Street
    Eastleigh
    Hampshire
    SO50 5RG
    Tel: 023 80 629388
    Email: sue.carroll@hants.gov.uk
     
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