A SUM of £2.1 million is to be pumped into continuing the improvement of its widely-praised new school dinners by Devon County Council. Already 220 primary schools across the county are serving the Fresh Start menus and more than 60 are scheduled to join the scheme by the summer. The healthier, freshly cooked and locally sourced Fresh Start dinners have been widely welcomed by pupils, parents and headteachers. They offer one main meal, and a vegetarian option with more dishes sourced locally and freshly prepared and cooked by Devon Direct Services. The menus currently include roasts, fish, pasta and a selection of freshly made pies along with fresh fruit, low fat yoghurt and specially made puddings. More choices will be introduced over the coming months. The new money from Devon County Council will help with the roll-out of the menus and provide healthier ingredients, training for support staff and ensure cooks have the right equipment in their kitchens. The Fresh Start menus were introduced following the banning of Turkey Twizzlers, chicken nuggets and other similar high-fat, high-salt, processed meat products from all Devon schools last year. Devon?s Executive Councillor for Children?s Services, John Smith, said: ?Devon has been leading the way in introducing healthier meals in schools for some time. ?We were making improvements long before the issue hit the headlines. ?And, by buying as much food locally as possible, we are supporting local producers and ensuring Devon food goes into Devon schools. ?This is a top priority for us and, despite the very serious budget difficulties facing the council, we have found the money to ensure this very successful programme continues and expands.? But Mr Smith warned that parents must use the school meals service or lose it. ?We have found the money to support this two-year improvement programme for school meals,? he said. ?The message for parents is clear: ?Children get around one third of all their daily nutritional requirements from a school lunch. These healthy new menus have been carefully worked out to appeal to children and provide them with an important part of their dietary needs. Please do try them?.?
