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Children at Enfield school will all benefit from free meals
2 Nov 2011

Free meals from school catering services are to be offered out to all of the pupils at one primary institution following a cash injection from a local council.

All 350 children at Eastfield Primary will be able to enjoy free hot midday meals for the next two years under a pilot scheme being run by Enfield Council, North London Today reports.

The initiative was launched last week and became possible thanks to a £235,000 grant.

Cabinet member for schools and children's services Ayfer Orhan said it will make things fairer for poorer families and could even improve children's ability to learn.

"Apart from the benefits of treating all children in the same way, we have been able to dispense with the administration of separating paid-for meals and saved staff time," added headteacher Chris Luck, suggesting cashless catering could be the ideal option for this school.

Last month, Jamie Oliver stressed the importance of quality school catering and called on the Department for Education to commit to improvements in midday meals.