This interesting report by Stroud News explores the benefits of using colour coded wristbands for school meal systems.

Chicken or beef? What about fish, vegetarian or a jacket potato? A new scheme is helping prevent disappointment for primary school pupils at lunchtime.

With three choices a day for school dinners, sometimes a child will end up disappointed when their favourite runs out before they get to the counter. But a new scheme being piloted at around 40 schools in the county is changing that.

Schools taking part in the scheme include: · Barnwood C of E Primary · Berkeley · Blakeney · Cashes Green, Stroud · Castle Hill, Brockworth · Chesterton, Cirencester · Dursley C of E Primary · Forest View, Cinderford  

Children choose their food when they arrive at school in the morning and are given a coloured wristband corresponding to a particular dish. They then redeem the wristbands at lunchtime for the right meals – making for happier children and easier meal planning for caterers.

School meal uptake is already up by around 3% at schools which offer the system. More schools are keen to introduce the wristbands and the county council and school caterers Edwards and Ward are struggling to keep up with the demand.

Brett Stevenson, Headteacher, Blakeney Primary School, said: “We already know the school dinners are healthy and balanced, but now the wristbands are making sure children get what they want to eat at lunchtime. With children getting their first choice they are happier and we are even seeing an increase in children choosing school dinners over packed lunches.”

Jane Woolf from Edwards and Ward said: “At Edwards and Ward we are very keen to see children eating a healthy balanced diet. The way to see children actually get to eat what they choose is to allocate a colour co-ordinated wrist band. It also makes the whole experience fun.”

Cllr Jackie Hall, Cabinet member for schools, said: “A healthy balanced meal at lunchtime can really make a difference to children’s ability to learn and behaviour. I welcome any scheme which helps make it easier for children to get a good meal at lunchtime.”

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