The increased use of locally-sourced fresh produce is slashing school meal bills, said one Sunday newspaper.
The back-to-basics, traditional meal approach is also bringing children back to the school canteen in their droves in some areas, as they respond to the healthy and fresh options now available.
Expensive convenience food and instant and frozen meals have been ditched by many schools, said the Sunday Express. Parents in schools with the new attitude are assured that their money will not be spent on sweets, as they are no longer being offered as an option.
One chef at a school in Luton said: "Costs are cut massively...the children have a great variety to choose from. Vegetarian options are made to be exciting and full of interesting flavours."
The Department of Education said: "We would very much encourage schools to buy local produce as it can cut costs dramatically. We have a very strict policy on nutritional advice for schools and what they can provide for children. In some cases it almost halves costs wth some products, and the uptake from children increases too."
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