<<In a message dated 08/05/2005 03:36:31 GMT Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
We have been watching the Jamie Oliver TV series on the School dinners, and his effort to get decent food into the schools. Do the kids have to pay for these dinners, and if so, how much? I have a feeling they are free, but not sure.>> The big issue here is that the schools won't pay more than about 40 - 60 pence for the meal at cost, but the kids' parents are paying 60 - 80 pence minimum - this is why there is so much anger about the meals. The Head Teachers moan that if they go over their cost margin then it comes out of the library funds etc - when in fact it comes out of the profits from the food. However, in most inner city schools have a school population that is considered below the poverty line and they get free school dinners (means tested) which means then it comes out of their school budget if they go over But quite frankly the whole thing is frightening. This is simply a problem because they gave the making (and profits) from school dinners to private companies and allowed the money to be removed from the schools - so to make a profit they sell chips and beefburgers - which the kids flock to buy. It raises all the other problems - like school tuck shops selling crisps and fizzy drinks to make money for school funds - it just shouldn't be allowed. If these foods aren't available then the kids can't eat them. Or am I being stupid? Regards Liz in London I'm back _blogging_ (http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee) my latest lace piece - have a look by clicking on the link or going to _http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee_ (http://journals.aol.com/thelacebee/thelacebee) To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
