Healthy Eating
Free School Meals Programme
From Monday 20th April 2026, all children are able to avail of the Free School Meals programme, which is funded by the Department of Social Protection. Food suppliers are provided with strict nutritional guidelines that they must adhere to in delivery of this programme. Our chosen supplier is The Lunch Bag. More information can be found on their website https://www.thelunchbag.ie/ or via their parent app.
Pupils who are availing of this programme are still required to bring a mid-morning snack. Parents are requested to adhere to the school's healthy eating policy, as outlined below.
Healthy Eating Policy
A healthy eating policy has been put in place by the school to encourage the children to be more aware of the need for healthy food in their lunch boxes.
Aims
- To promote nutritional awareness and to promote the health of the child
- To help children improve concentration, learning and energy levels
- To support the school’s environmental policy - please use re-useable containers and bottles, minimise wrappers, etc.
- To ensure school-wide consistency.
Policy
- Children bring a packed lunch to school. Lunch boxes should consist of a drink, fruit, yoghurt, sandwich, bread roll, crackers etc.
- Children should have a small snack such as fruit/yoghurt for mid-morning break.
- Main lunch is at 12.30p.m., children are allowed time to eat in the classroom.
- Water may be consumed during class time, only with the permission of the teacher.
- Children have access to drinking water during class, again with the teacher’s permission.
- Healthy eating initiatives will be promoted within the school.
Prohibited Foods
Due to pupils in the school with severe nut allergies no nut products are allowed (this includes bars containing nuts/spreads such as Nutella etc.)
In addition, and in order to encourage healthy balanced eating habits among children in school, the following foods are prohibited:
- Crisps
- Fizzy drinks
- Chewing gum
Friday lunches may include:
- As a treat, small chocolate bars/biscuits (treat size), small packet of sweets.
Allergies
If your child has a food allergy, as parents/guardians, you must notify the school; listing the foods to be avoided.
Guidelines/Tips
- Children have a responsibility to eat their own lunch and not share or trade food, drink or treats with others.
- Foods which have wrappers are best kept to a minimum. All food wrappings must be brought home and we strongly encourage the use of lunch boxes (please avoid Zip Lock/Glad bags) and reusable bottles for drinks.
- For younger children keep food manageable e.g. peeled orange, chopped apple.
Implementation
If children bring prohibited food/drink into school they will be asked by the class teacher to bring it home.
Useful Information
Nutritional information and ideas for healthy school lunches can be found on the following websites:
