CHILDREN in Gloucestershire are getting the gold standard when it comes to school meals.

Caterers Edwards & Ward, who were awarded the contract to provide school meals by Gloucestershire County Council in 2009, have scooped a top award.

They have been awarded the Food For Life Partnership’s Gold Award for all of the 168 primary and special schools they manage in Gloucestershire. The caterer is the first in the UK to be recognised as providing freshly prepared, locally sourced, organic, free range and Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) meals to an entire county group.

Since they took over the contract, there has been a 26 per cent increase in uptake of school meals with 34.1 per cent of primary school pupils now choosing a healthy school lunch.

Cllr Jackie Hall, cabinet member for education, said: "Our contract with Edwards and Ward has improved the quality of school meals and this is reflected in their rising popularity.

"It is good to see their efforts to source fresh, local ingredients recognised by this prestigious award."

The county council is encouraging all parents to apply for a school meal if they are eligible. The Government has said that schools will get an extra £430 for every pupil eligible for free school meals next year.

To download an application form to apply for free school meals go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals. You can also pick up one from your child’s school.