WORK is continuing to increase the number of children eating school meals in Irvine and Kilwinning.

Earlier this year, the Scottish Government announced a £114 million package to expand free school meals to every one of Scotland’s P1-P3 pupils.

At their meeting last week, the NAC cabinet heard how things are progressing to provide those meals in local schools from January 2015.

It’s anticipated that school caterers at North Ayrshire’s 25 hub kitchens will have to produce an extra 2,000 meals a day.

To meet demand, another five hub kitchens will have to be opened - including at Glebe in Irvine and St Luke’s in Kilwinning - and another 22 full-time and part-time posts will be created in the catering workforce.

In the meantime, measures continue to be undertaken to persuade other pupils to eat school meals.

Cabinet members heard how a free school meal was offered to all P7 pupils attending secondary school on induction week in June. The free sample was aimed at encouraging pupils to use the service in the future.

Food demonstrations were also put on for parents and guardians at induction nights so they could see for themselves what their children were getting.

Four primary schools - including Woodlands and Lawthorn in Irvine - have been piloting a 'choose a healthy option and clear your plate’ initiative which provides rewards to children who eat all their lunch.

Each secondary school carried out a pupil survey on school meals May/June for pupils in years 1-3. According to council officers, the results of this survey are being analysed and will be reviewed to form the basis of developing the next phase of marketing and planning of initiatives for 2014/15.

Craig Hatton, corporate director for development and environment, said: “Through collaborative working, a package of measures has been developed to increase the uptake of school meals, which will contribute to the improved health and well-being of young persons throughout North Ayrshire.

“The entitlement to free school meals will be extended to all P1 - P3 pupils across North Ayrshire from January 2015.”