Primary school children across the county will be learning more about being active and eating more fruit and vegetables this week (Monday 26 - Friday 30 March).
'Spring into Action' has been organised by Cumbria County Council's Premises Unit, which provides meals to 171 of the county's 282 primary schools.
Schools will pick a day this week to have a special themed lunch with a free 'Kid's Kitchen' sticker for each child taking the lunch on that day. After they have eaten, the children will be asked to check underneath their trays for a red spot - if they find one, they also get a free soft rubber ball.
The menu for the special 'Spring into Action' lunch is:
- spring chicken baked in a rich tomato sauce
- salad vegetable sticks
- rice or tagliatelle
(the vegetarian option is green vegetable tagliatelle with garlic bread)
followed by crunchy topped apple and cinnamon slice served with creme fraiche.
Philip Chappelhow is the the county council's cabinet member for Children's Services. He said:
"Research has shown us that a balanced diet can help children to concentrate better, which means that they can perform better at school.
"Schools taking the county council's school meals service are ensuring that their children are getting a healthy meal in the middle of the day - and adding an element of 'fun' makes it even more appealing."
"Events like this are a good way of encouraging both children and their parents to think more about healthy eating and healthy lifestyle choices."
ENDS
Further information from Alison Lister, media team, on (01228) 606335
Notes
- Cumbria County Council's Premises Unite provides a foodservice for 171 out of the 282 primary schools in the county
- Although the national trend for the take up of school meals is downwards, more and more children in both primary and secondary schools receiving Premises Unit meals are choosing to stay for school lunch