1A district council has voted to expand its free school meals scheme.
2From September, every primary pupil will receive a hot lunch at no cost.
3Around twelve thousand children are expected to benefit from the change.
4The decision follows a successful trial at five local schools.
5Teachers at those schools reported better concentration in the afternoons.
6Attendance also improved slightly during the six-month trial.
7Parents welcomed the savings at a time of rising food prices.
8One mother said the scheme saved her family thirty pounds a week.
9The meals will be cooked in a new central kitchen near the depot.
10Menus were designed with the help of a team of nutritionists.
11Each lunch will include vegetables, protein, and fresh fruit.
12Vegetarian options will be available every day of the week.
13Catering staff will receive extra training over the summer.
14The council will fund the scheme for an initial period of two years.
15Critics questioned whether the funding can be sustained beyond that.
16The council leader insisted the money had been carefully budgeted.
17She argued that healthy children learn better and miss fewer lessons.
18A similar scheme in a neighbouring district cut absence rates notably.
19Secondary schools may be included if the first phase goes well.
20Further details will be sent to parents before the summer holidays.