UNISON LAUNCHES FREE SCHOOL MEALS PLEDGE
On Thursday 12th March, UNISON, the largest union in Northern Ireland representing thousands of education support service workers, will hold an event at Coláiste Feirste, Belfast, to mark International School Meals Day and launch a pledge calling on politicians to commit to supporting universal free school meals and valuing the catering workforce and infrastructure that make high-quality school food possible.
The event will bring together school staff, pupils and trade union representatives for a panel discussion celebrating the importance of school meals and the vital contribution made by school catering staff who prepare and serve nutritious hot meals for children every day.
The pledge calls on elected representatives to support the introduction of universal free school meals and to recognise the importance of investing in the kitchens, facilities and skilled workforce required to deliver healthy meals in schools.
Universal free school meals have the potential to play a significant role in reducing poverty and inequality by ensuring every child has access to a nutritious meal during the school day. They also support improved educational outcomes by helping pupils concentrate, participate fully in school life and get the most from their learning.
Importantly, universal provision removes the stigma that can be associated with means-tested free school meals, ensuring that all children can access school food equally without barriers for pupils or parents.
The event will provide an opportunity to highlight the positive impact of school meals programmes and to recognise the essential role played by school catering staff in supporting children’s health, wellbeing and education.
Anne Taggart, Branch Secretary of the UNISON Belfast Education Branch, said ‘We’re celebrating the fact that NI has the best school meals offer in these islands and we are calling on our decision-makers to protect the excellent service we deliver. We are also concerned that the price increase is making it harder for many families to choose school meals for their child so universal free school meals is needed now more than ever.’
International School Meals Day is marked each year to promote the benefits of nutritious school food and to recognise the role it plays in supporting children, families and school communities.