Hampshire County Council Leader joins pupils as they tuck into healthy school meal menu

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Keith Mans has given his seal of approval to Hampshire’s healthy school meals – visiting New Milton Infant School to see pupils enjoying the tasty, high-quality dishes provided by the local authority’s award-winning catering service, HC3S.

Councillor Mans said: “At the very heart of HC3S is the drive to produce meals which are packed full of nutrition and flavour, for the benefit of Hampshire’s young people.

“It’s been wonderful to see how positively children are embracing the range of food on the menu – as we know having a balanced and nutritious diet helps support health and wellbeing on many levels, including physically, and in terms of learning and concentration.”

The HC3S team works closely with farmers and local suppliers to ensure that children can enjoy meals which are made from the freshest and healthiest ingredients possible – and remain good value for money.

The latest menu is in place at more than 440 schools across Hampshire. Some of the dishes currently enjoyed by around 12.3 million pupils each year, include:

·        vegetable goujons served with roast potatoes and vegetables;

·        beef bolognaise with pasta, garden peas;

·        baked fish fingers with tomato sauce;

·        roast chicken and vegetables;

·        quorn nuggets and vegetables.

Councillor Mans added: “At the same time as offering a healthy prepared meal for schoolchildren, we are also, of course, fully supportive of packed lunches prepared at home, that pupils bring into school, and would encourage them to be as balanced in nutrition as possible, as well as low in fats, sugars and additives – to ensure they’re also a healthy alternative.”

This month, HC3S is encouraging and supporting people to take part in Veganuary – a time when people are inspired and supported to try vegan (plant-based foods).

In celebration of Veganuary, HC3S has launched a writing competition for children.

Primary age pupils have until 31 January to submit a work of fiction related to the theme of how what people eat affects the planet. Writers can interpret the theme in any way they choose, so long as their story is connected to it.

HC3S will showcase the winning entries on their website, with winners receiving books for themselves, as well as £150 of books for their school.

Discover more about HC3S.

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