THE universal free school meals scheme in Denbighshire has provided for almost 140,000 meals since September last year.

The successful rollout of the Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) offer to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils is to be extended to Years 3 and 4 from September 2023, and the phased delivery approach will see all primary pupils offered free school meals by 2024.

Since September 2022, Denbighshire’s catering team served up a total of 139,296 Universal Primary Free School Meals up to June 2023.

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As part of the rollout, a number of Denbighshire’s primary schools have seen kitchen and catering upgrades, including full kitchen remodels and increased storage, with the addition of new walk-in fridge and freezers.

They have also received new cooking equipment to help increase cooking capacity.

Many primary schools within the county are also having work done to their dining halls, to help increase dining capacity.

Gill German, deputy leader and lead member for education, children and families, said: “I am hugely supportive of the Universal Primary Free School Meals offer, and it is great to see that the rollout in Denbighshire is progressing so well.

“Every child of Reception age in Denbighshire has been able to enjoy a free school meal since September, and back in January, children in Year 1 were included in the offer ahead of our original schedule. Children in Year 2 were added to the offer towards the end of April.

“A nutritious meal at lunchtime is essential to a child’s learning and development and I am so thankful to our dedicated catering teams who have helped to serve up such a huge number of these meals.”