Now pupils can pop to the pasta point

Pupils of primary schools in Manchester can choose from a wide variety of healthy and attractive meals at lunchtime by using one of the food stations set up as part of a new Fresh Fayre menu.

Children have the chance to pop to the Pasta Point, stop at the Spud Spot, slip into the Sandwich Station or call for the Cook's Choice.

Each food station provides a choice of main meals and desserts, with three out of four stations being available each day.

The new menu is being trialed in three primary schools before it is rolled out across the city.

Children at the first school to try it - St Margaret's Primary in Whalley Range - voted Fresh Fayre a success, with comments including "The new dinners are great. Yum Yum", "I love the Pasta Point the best" and "I like them a lot. They are really nice and yummy!"

The new school meals are being introduced by Manchester Fayre, Manchester City Council's catering service.

Councillor Bernard Priest, the Council's Executive Member whose responsibilities include school meals services, said: "The children who have tried the new Fresh Fayre menu so far really enjoy and pupils are already starting to switch from packed lunches to the new menu, which gives lots of attractive and healthy meal options each day.

"Michelle Hargreaves, marketing manager for Manchester Fayre, said: "All our school meals are freshly prepared by skilled staff in our kitchens each day using good-quality, fresh ingredients that we buy locally when possible and seasonally available.

"Our menus are nutritionally-analysed to ensure that they meet the required food and nutrient-based standards to provide children with a healthy, balanced meal.

"There are different main courses and desserts available (including vegetarian and Halal options) every day at each food station. And we always have on offer milk, water, bread rolls, cheese & biscuits, fruit, yoghurt and a selection of freshly-baked cookies."

Pasta Point offers choices ranging from pasta bows and twirls to noodles or rice, from tomato sauce to curry sauce.

Spud Spot offers jacket potatoes with a choice of four hot and cold fillings each day.

Sandwich Station has a range of bread rolls and wraps with various fillings.

Cook's Choice offers popular, traditional dishes including, cottage pie, curry with rice & naan bread, and homemade lamb burger with chips and salad).

Media contact:

Martin Hellewell, tel: 0161 234 3729.