The PRICE of schools meals will be slashed by 50 per cent in the last two weeks of August thanks to East Ayrshire Council’s creative application of the UK government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme.

The national scheme offers discounts on eating out in restaurants and cafes throughout the month of August, but the council has gone one step further and subsidised the scheme to enable pupils and parents to take advantage of discounted school meals throughout the whole school week beginning Monday, August 17.

The move means that pupils will receive ten days of meals for just £10.80 in the first two weeks of term.

Andrew Kennedy, Head of Facilities and Property Management at East Ayrshire Council, said: “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.”

Councillor Fiona Campbell, Cabinet Spokesperson for Skills and Learning, said: “Our catering team must be commended for their creativity in applying this scheme. Many families have struggled during lockdown and this gives them a helping hand as they start to get back to some form of normality.”

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