Our School Lunches

Here at Crosshall Infant School, we want to promote health and wellbeing, through nutrition, physical activity and positive mental health. This means we understand that our lunchtimes are an integral part of our school day.

As a school, we also strongly believe in the social benefits of children eating together in a ‘family’ atmosphere and so we use our school hall for our lunchtimes where the children are able to sit together.

Every child in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to free school meals and as such we do not allow packed lunches in school. This enables us to ensure all children have had a hot, nutritious meal every day.  Nursery children are encouraged to purchase a meal as it is a great opportunity for them to learn the routines of collecting lunch ready for when they are in Reception.  However, if you would like your nursery child to have a packed lunch then please see the guidance below.  A copy of our most up to date menu can be found in our weekly newsletters.  Our school menu changes over the year to reflect the time of year but also to encourage the children in trying a wide range of foods.

Mrs Bliss and her team work incredibly hard to ensure that we are able to cater for all children including those with dietary requirements or allergies. If you would like your child to have a school lunch but you have questions about allergies and dietary requirements, please contact our main school office who will happily help.

Although there is no need for you to book your child’s lunch, we always recommend parents and carers spend time going through the school menu with your child to help them in being able to make choices about what they would like to eat.

Packed Lunches- Nursery Children Only

Children who bring in packed lunches are encouraged to bring healthy food. There are currently no government regulations regarding the contents of children’s packed lunches. However the British Nutrition Foundation produced a set of guidelines recommending what could be included in lunch boxes to provide them with a healthy meal.

The recommended contents of a healthy lunch box are:

• A good portion of starchy food e.g. wholegrain roll, thick slice of bread, pitta pocket, plain cracker, pasta or rice salad.

• Plenty of fruit and vegetables e.g. an apple, satsuma, handful of cherry tomatoes or carrot sticks, mini can of fruit chunks (decanted into a plastic container), small box of raisins

• A portion of milk or dairy food e.g. individual cheese portion, pot of yogurt.

• A small portion of lean meat, fish or alternative e.g. 2 slices of ham, Quorn, cheese, tuna, egg or hummus.

• One small packet of crisps, a fruit scone or portion of malt loaf, a small cake or biscuit may also be included (please avoid chocolate as much as possible).

In addition, we would like to ask our parents and carers not to include:

• Nuts – We are a nut free school as we have several children who have severe nut allergies.

• Sweets

• Fizzy drinks.

We encourage all children in nursery to have a school lunch to learn the routines of lunchtime at school.  All lunches are eaten in the school hall with the children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 children. 

We are really proud of our school menus, the quality of homemade food and the range of foods  that are available for our children every lunchtime.

Please be aware that these menus are subject to change depending on food supply and delivery.

If you require information regarding allergens and specific ingredients within our menu's please talk to a member of staff.            

Visitor Meals are £6.50 for adults, £2 for children and £3.00 for a junior meal.  Bookings can be made via the school office and payment will need to be made using WisePay.

All bookings are subject to change.  Any bookings cancelled after 9:30am, on the day, will require payment in full.

If you wish to speak to the Kitchen Manager, please address any queries to Mrs Anne Bliss, who will be happy to help you.

In July 2024 the school was reaccredited the ‘5 Star’ Food Hygiene rating by the Food Standards agency in partnership with Huntingdonshire District Council. The Food Hygiene rating reflects the hygiene standards within school.