Latest news with #UniversalPrimaryFreeSchoolMeals
South Wales Argus
18-07-2025
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Over 50 million free school meals served across Wales
The milestone comes as part of the Universal Primary Free School Meals programme, which began in 2022 and now offers every child in every Welsh primary school a free meal each day. First minister Eluned Morgan said: "Serving up school dinners to all our primary pupils for free provides vital support. "A year on from introducing the scheme to everyone, Wales is still the only UK nation to provide a free healthy meal for every primary learner. "It makes sure that no child feels hungry during the school day. "It helps their concentration and wellbeing and enabling them to achieve their full potential." The Welsh Government says the programme helps reduce health inequalities, encourages healthy eating, and supports children's learning and behaviour. The initiative also aims to source food locally where possible. Cabinet secretary for education, Lynne Neagle, said: "More than 50 million meals have been served since the introduction of Universal Primary Free School Meals, it is a remarkable milestone. "It is also a significant step in supporting Welsh families and tackling child poverty across our communities." Work is underway to review school food regulations, with a public consultation open until the end of July.
Leader Live
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
MS for Wrexham explains the School Essentials Grant
MS for Wrexham Lower-income families in Wrexham could be entitled to up to £200 to help with essentials like school uniform, shoes, bags, stationery, sports kit and equipment. It's thanks to the Welsh Labour Government's School Essentials Grant and applications are now open for the upcoming academic year starting in September. Eligible families can apply for a grant of £125 per child per year. Families with children entering year 7 can apply for £200 to help with increased costs associated with starting secondary school. Times are tough and rising living costs are taking their toll on many families who are constantly budgeting. This grant could be a real lifeline, reducing financial pressures and helping ensure pupils have the necessary equipment to attend and enjoy school. Approximately £62.5m has been spent since the scheme was introduced in 2018, and over 170,000 families have been helped in the last two years alone. Even if your child already receives Universal Primary Free School Meals, it is still important to check your eligibility. To find out more, visit the Schools Essentials Grant website. The 2025 to 2026 scheme is currently open and will close on 31st May 2026. Teams4U is a charity close to my heart and it is holding a fantastic family fun day at the Croes Howell pub in Wrexham this Saturday (19 July). There will be fun and games for the whole family and the event is being hosted by Gemma Hunt from CBeebies' pirate-themed show, Swashbuckle! Tickets cost £4 per person and there are two sessions taking place, with one starting at 10am and the other at 1:30pm. All the money raised will go towards a very worthy cause and the fun day promises to be the perfect way to start the summer holidays! Finally, many congratulations to local author, Samantha Maxwell, who recently organised an excellent 'Cake & Tea for CP' bake sale. It was a lovely event and, in total, Samantha managed to raise almost £600 for Cerebral Palsy Cymru. As always, if you're a constituent in Wrexham and there is an issue I could help you with, please contact me via email: or call 01978 355743. You can also keep up to date by following me on 'X' (Twitter) and Facebook, just search @lesley4wrexham.
Business News Wales
19-06-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
North Wales Growers Offered Chance to Contribute to School Meals
Food producers and independent businesses could benefit from a partnership with Conwy schools. Conwy council's Catering department has piloted a Welsh Government Foundational Economy and Business Wales initiative encouraging more local authorities to use Welsh suppliers when designing primary school menus. Following a pilot study which focused on green vegetables including broccoli, the organisations are calling for growers in the region to meet the demand and explore pathways to supplying fresh produce for schools. Consultant Dafydd Aled Williams, former Health and Wellbeing Manager for Conwy, says partnerships have been formed in light of Welsh Government's Universal Primary Free School Meals (UPFSM) initiative, with local authorities focused on health, sustainability and supporting families facing cost-of-living challenges. 'There has been a lot of research and work behind the scenes over the last year to introduce more Welsh produce onto schools' menus,' said Dafydd. 'Taking broccoli as an example, there was a test period where pupils were given fresh broccoli for a period of three weeks and much preferred it to frozen. 'The task then is to see how financially viable it would be to introduce fresh locally grown broccoli, which on evaluation would be on a long-term basis, but at present there is nobody in the region producing the quantities needed to supply schools. 'We can see the project unfolding over the next three years initially, identifying potential local commercial vegetable growers to work with the current fruit and veg wholesaler to explore budgets and costs. 'This demonstrates that there are commercial opportunities in growing other foodstuffs including leeks, onions and also salad vegetables such as cucumber, tomatoes and lettuce, which would have a positive knock-on effect for the local economy, for the environment and ultimately the healthy eating habits of future generations of children.' He added: 'Conwy Council has worked incredibly hard to use independent businesses and local produce where possible and other local authorities have done the same, so hopefully if everyone keeps moving in that direction it will be of long-term benefit to businesses and schools in North Wales and beyond.' Earlier this year, Business Wales held virtual events on Social Value in the Public Sector and Welsh public sector supply chains, in addition to procurement, frameworks and tendering processes. Menter Môn's Food Project Manager David Wylie says there is an exciting journey ahead and 'opportunities' for growers in North Wales. 'We have interested parties and are working hard to encourage more independent producers and businesses to capitalise on what will be huge demand,' he added. 'We want them to play a major role in public sector supply chains and appear on the menus of schools in Conwy and other local authorities keen to use more local food and drink. 'This in turn will boost the economy, employment, and give these small businesses a new revenue stream.' Examples of recent projects include the Larder Cymru Welsh Food for Schools scheme, backed by the Welsh Government Foundational Economy Team, which promotes Welsh produce and producers from across Wales and highlights how, by buying from them, schools will shorten their supply chains, encouraging sustainability, lowering carbon emissions. For more information, email david@ or visit Homepage | Business Wales.
