Nether Stowey School Meals Service

In 1991 the Local Eduation Authority ceased to offer a midday meal service, and schools were given a variety of alternative options. Many schools took the opportunity to close down their kitchens and use the much needed space for alternative means, forcing the children to have a packed lunch.

At Nether Stowey we were fortunate enough to have a group of parents who did not want to see the tradition of school dinners die, and recognized the value that this midday meal has for children’s social development and well being. N.S.S.M.S was founded as a Trust to be run by Trustees, which must be parents of children in the school. It is run as a non-profit making business totally financially independent from the school, and we feed approximately 130 children a day.

In addition to this we provide meals for the Old Peoples Day Centre and run a popular Friday Luncheon Club where local pensioners come into school and have a meal with the children.

Our aim is to provide a healthy, well balanced meal that is good value for money and enjoyable. We are most fortunate to have a great team of cooks who are dedicated to providing this, and use their considerable skills to make interesting and tasty meals that appeal to children.

The dinner ladies help the very young children, this ensures they are not put off by having to make a choice. They are also watched as closely as possible to make sure they get a good selection, eat what they choose and get good value for money. The kitchen staff will try to cater for individual needs, and there is a happy and relaxed atmosphere in the hall during the lunchtime break.

Trustees: Liz Nolan (Chairman) Teresa Dane Lucy Peaster Wendy Williams

Kitchen Staff: Helen Reynolds Tracey Sayer Nicky Gill

Administrator: Amanda McMullen

Please feel free to contact any of the Trustees should you have any queries.

How much does it cost and how to pay?
The price of a school meal freshly prepared on site is *£1.90; this price is in line with most other schools and indeed with County who arrange for school meals to be delivered to schools across the region. OAP cost £4.00

Payment can be made half termly, monthly or weekly, in advance. Money should be sent into school in an envelope clearly marked on the outside with “NSSMS” and your child’s name on a Monday morning. The envelopes will then be collected by your child’s teacher. Should you prefer to pay half-termly, an invoice will be sent home within the first week of term. All cheques should be made payable to “NSSMS”. Any cash payments larger than one week’s dinner money must be given directly to Heather Hillman in the school office for a receipt.

* the cost of the school meal is increased annually at the start of the Autumn term in line with the annual increase in the minimum wage and also in line with a potential increase in overheads.

What if there is a problem?
Our Administrator, Amanda McMullan is the first point of contact for parents who may have a problem or query with the service. She will reply to any note sent in with the dinner money by the end of the week or she can be found in the school office each Monday morning.

What about free school meals?
If you are entitled to free school meals proof of entitlement must be shown to the school Secretary at the beginning of term. Separately to this every new starter at the school is invited to have one free school meal on the first day of their first term.

Can you as a parent try a meal?
We welcome parents to come into school and try a lunch with the children so that they can have first hand experience of what it is like. We would ask that you do pre-book this with the kitchen staff. The price of each meal is £3.00.

We hope that you will feel able to support NSSMS so that your child not only eats a nourishing meal at midday but also takes part in the social learning process that this involves. With the Government leaning more towards healthy eating within our schools and the guidelines in respect of healthy lunch boxes we consider the meals provided by NSSMS run in an extremely healthy 1st place – can you really provide a healthy balanced nourishing packed lunch for less than the cost of a healthy balanced and nourishing meal cooked on site.

SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED……..

Q. How do I know my child is getting a nutritionally balanced meal?
A.The kitchen staff make sure that every child has something from each food group.

Q.How do I know my child is getting enough?
A.The staff in the kitchen quickly get to know each child’s appetite and serve accordingly. Second helpings are always available for those still hungry.

Q.What happens if my child doesn’t like anything on the menu?
A.Children are encouraged to try foods they are unsure of and can have “tasters” of anything they wish. If there is nothing they like on offer the staff will open a tin of tuna or offer cheese to ensure that the child has some protein.

Q.Will my child be forced to eat?
A.No child is ever forced to eat, but we do encourage them. We find that if a child is assisted with selecting their food we have very little waste.

Q.What happens if my child cannot cope with cutting up food etc?
A.The dinner ladies are on hand to help the smaller children cope with their meal.

If you ever have any questions or worries about the school meals service, please let us know. You may approach any of the trustees personally, or if you prefer put it in writing and leave it in the school office. Alternatively you are welcome to visit the school kitchen at any time and speak to the kitchen staff direct. We have a great team who are dedicated to providing a good service. They are only too happy to talk to parents if they can help in any way.