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Stigma attached to free school meals, says parent
2 Sep 2009

There is a stigma attached to claiming free dinners at school lunchtime, according to a parent from Lincolnshire.

Lesley Steele, whose son Joseph attends St Michael's in Coningsby, told the Lincolnshire Echo that it is unfair that there is a negative attitude towards people who do not have to pay for school catering.

Her comments come after the School Trust Fund released figures last week which indicated that thousands of parents are missing out on getting their children a free lunch because they are unaware they are eligible for such a benefit.

As part of a statement from the trust fund, chair of the Merton Parents group Jackie Schneider said that contactless smart cards could hold the key to ensuring people who are rightfully entitled to school dinners actually get them.

"In many schools, payment is made at the office now in private - and some schools use a prepaid card system so children don't need to carry cash," she explained.

This is something eMoney network sQuid offers to two schools in Wiltshire, south-west England.