The price of school meals across East Ayrshire will be slashed by 50% during the last two weeks in August, thanks to the Council’s creative application of the UK government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

We’re encouraging pupils and parents to take advantage of discounted school meals throughout the whole school week, for two weeks, commencing Monday 17 August.

This means that pupils will receive 10 days of meals for just £10.80 in the first two weeks of term – a price that will be hard to beat anywhere else!

Andrew Kennedy, Head of Facilities and Property Management at East Ayrshire Council explained:

“Having looked into the possibility of applying the scheme to schools meals, we realised there was much more we could do to assist families at this time. Food provision has been a major concern for us throughout lockdown, and at its peak, we were providing over 7000 meals per day to children and families in need of assistance.

“By applying the scheme to schools meals and extending it to the full school week at the start of the term, we are ensuring our young people can access fresh, healthy and affordable food in a COVID-safe environment.

“To be eligible for the scheme, food must be purchased and consumed on the school premises – and this is something we will be actively encouraging as part of our health and safety measures being put in place when pupils return next week.

To take advantage of this offer, parents should sign up to Parent Pay and pre-order meal choices. Free school meals still apply to those who are eligible.