THOUSANDS more free schools meals are on track to be served in North Somerset primary schools.
More than £530,000 has been spent on new kitchens and cooking equipment after new legislation was released, making free school meals available to all children - up to the age of seven - attending a state-funded school.
An additional 4,000 meals will be served daily in primary schools from September, taking the total number of free school meals to around 9,000 a day in North Somerset.
More than 50 new jobs have also been created, taking the total number employed in primary school catering to 250.
Government funding of £429,310 and £101,649 from diocese grants is covering the cost of building work, upgrading power supplies and cutlery in 37 of 50 school kitchens.
Parents and carers who are already entitled to claim free school meals because of their income or circumstances are being urged to still apply for this in the usual way before their child starts school, as this draws in vital funding. Every child entitled to claim free school meals as a benefit, brings £1,300 directly to their school.
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