Children at two Jersey primary schools will get healthy meals from September in a £200,000 government-funded pilot scheme.
Pupils at Janvrin and Samares will be given a main meal, dessert and drink provided by the charity Caring Cooks.
Each lunch will cost £2.50, and some pupils will be eligible to get the food for free.
Director of Public Health Martin Knight thinks it will bring many benefits;
"Providing good nutrition throughout the school day is really important for children, not only in the short-term - being able to support behaviour and readiness to learn - but we also know that it is really protective in the future from risks of disease."
He says early intervention in a children's dietary habits will have a significant impact on their physical and mental well-being, reduce their risk of becoming obese or developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois is backing the trial.
"It is important that children have daily access to healthy nutritious food while at school; there is growing evidence that a good diet and nutrition improves student performance."
If the two year long trial is a success, the government will consider rolling school meals out to all primaries.
Phone robber jailed after targeting a 'lone' woman
Channel Islands' parliamentary Standards Commissioner resigns
Island Energy charged over Mont Pinel gas explosion
Jersey airport to open early due to broken scanner
Critically endangered species of lemur joins Jersey Zoo
Lido to 'pause trading' amid ongoing uncertainly
Ports of Jersey applies to remove Gorey Pier landing stage
Jersey's police officers to be held to new standards
Comments
Add a comment