1) Where do you source your meat from?
2) Do you cater for vegetarians?
3) Do you cater for allergies?
4/5) Portion size?
6) How do I claim for free school meals?
7) Why is the dish on the menu not always served?
8) Where can I get copies of the current menu?
9) How much is a school dinner?
10) How do I pay for school dinners?
1) Where do you source your meat from for school dinners?
All the meat used in Nottinghamshire County Council school meals is provided fresh from a local butcher, Mike Maloney. You can view this information in more detail on our menu leaflets.
2) Do you have vegetarian options on your menus?
We cater for vegetarians in every school. In schools where there is a choice menu, there is a daily choice of a meat dish or a vegetarian dish. These options can be seen on our menu leaflets that your child will have brought home. If you have not seen a copy of the menu, they can be viewed and downloaded from the current menu section of this site.
If your child's school operates on a traditional single choice menu or family service, you will need to contact the school administration or Head Teacher. Once they have your child’s name and let the kitchen know, a daily vegetarian meal can be prepared.
3) My child is allergic to eggs/wheat/dairy products/nuts...can they still stay for a school dinner?
Yes! Nottinghamshire school dinners have provision for medical diets, we are committed to ensuring your child stays healthy and enjoys the social inclusion of having a school dinner.
If your child has an allergy, please write to us and let us know your child's condition and intolerance. This letter must be supported by medical documentation from your GP or other medical professional and sent with your child's full name and date of birth, the name of their school, date of starting at school, your name and full contact details to:
Susan Harris
Catering and Facilities Management
Fox Road
West Bridgford
Nottingham
NG2 6BJ
4) I wanted to enquire about the portion size of school dinners at my child's school. I think some children would like bigger portions or 'seconds'.
We are delighted that your child has a healthy appetite, however the portions served in our schools are measured to ensure that they are equal and that they meet the recommended daily allowances.
Our menus fully comply with food standards on nutrition and portion size. They contain at least two portions of fruit and vegetables per meal and every meal is served with vegetables and/or salad as standard.
Part of the new food standards state that free bread should be made available at lunchtime to ensure children are not left hungry after their dinner. We fully comply with these regulations by making sure a basket of bread is available for children to help themselves from at dinner time. You can visit the School Food Trust website at www.schoolfoodtrust.org which outlines these standards.
5)Why do you offer bread as an accompaniment to the main meal instead of giving larger portions?
Since September 2006 the School Food Trust insisted that bread was available as an extra to the meal every day.
We have made sure that as an Authority, we fully comply with this legislation and we therefore have a basket of bread available for children to help themselves from at lunchtime. The bread is not intended to form part of the overall meal, it is merely an extra dimension to make sure that children feel full after their lunch.
You can find a copy of the Government standards on the School Food Trust website: www.schoolfoodtrust.org
6) How do I claim for free school meals?
Milk is free for all pupils up to the age of five and at a reduced rate for all 5-7 year olds in nursery and infant schools. It is also subsidised for all pupils in special schools.
If you receive a qualifying benefit you can get free school lunches and milk for your child. Once in full-time education they will get either a free two-course meal or items of an equivalent value if there is a cash cafeteria service at lunchtime.
For information on how to get free school meals and milk please visit the free school meals page.
7) Why do you not always serve what is on the menu?
On some occasions we have to make alternative emergency provision to replace items on the menu. At the menu planning stage it is never our intention to do this, but unfortunately unexpected problems arise meaning we cannot always offer what is stated on the menu. In these cases our catering teams will ensure they still provide your child with a healthy alternative that meets all our requirements and standards.
8) Do you have an electronic copy of the school dinner menu?
All menus can be viewed and downloaded from the current menu section of this website. Alternatively parents can contact Nottinghamshire school dinners to request a copy by e-mail: schoolcatering.admin@nottscc.gov.uk
9) How much is a school dinner?
The cost for a two course meal in primary schools is £2.00. Secondary schools operate a cash cafeteria system with items starting at 50p.
10) How do I pay for my child's school dinners?
You can pay for your child's school dinners by cash or cheque directly to the school. Please check with your school if meals need to be paid for daily or weekly.
Some of our schools are now operating a cashless system, meaning you can pay online for your child's school dinners. Please visit our cashless system page for more information.
