The school community in Scoil Chaitríona Senior is excited at the beginning of a new venture into hot school meals in partnership with Fresh Today.
Principal Marianne Brady says hot meals are a big part of the school's vision for student wellbeing, happiness and participation.
"We know a hot school lunch improves the school experience for all our children and improves concentration, motivation and performance. I think a hot lunch is especially important as we face into the cold winter months when a cold sandwich or wrap is not as inviting as chicken curry, for example."
She says many parents will testify that making packed lunches is a costly chore and one that often causes stress.
"It can be hard to ensure there is fresh bread/food for the lunch boxes, and harder again to include a wide variety of fruit and vegetables. After a long day working and caring for children, parents would much rather be spending time with their children than preparing lunches."
Principal Brady says after much research into the various providers, she found Fresh Today and applied for funding from the Department of Social Protection.
"Fresh Today are now providing pupils in Scoil Chaitríona Senior with nutritionally balanced, tasty, restaurant quality lunches in compostable containers. Our pupils now have the option of trying new dishes that they might not have experienced at home and are enjoying lunch times even more. Parents are thrilled with the quality and availability of support from the company and many have reported that their weekly shopping bill has reduced too."
Providing meals for primary school children in the UK and Europe is standard, she says.
"While we are the first primary school in Galway who have received funding for this initiative, I believe it will be commonplace in the near future and we won't look back."
