School Meals

At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we operate a cashless payment system using Evolve, which allows parents and carers to order and pay for school meals online. The system can also be used to make payments for other items such as school trips, milk, toast and healthy snacks. We strongly encourage all parents and carers to log in to Evolve and set up their account so it can be used for any future school payments. If you have any questions or require help setting up your account, please contact the school office and we will be happy to assist. School dinners are provided by Local Kitchen, who prepare nutritious, balanced meals using high-quality ingredients. All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to Universal Free School Meals. For children in Key Stage 2, the cost of school dinners is £13.50 per week (£2.70 per day). Meals must be paid for in advance through Evolve, either weekly, monthly or termly. Fresh fruit, vegetables and salad are available every day, and the menu follows a two-week cycle to ensure a variety of healthy and enjoyable meals. Further information about Local Kitchen, including menus, allergens and food standards, can be found here: https://www.wigan.gov.uk/Business/Local-Kitchen/Index.aspx 

Packed Lunches

Children may bring a healthy packed lunch from home. Lunches should be in a clearly labelled container or lunch bag with your child’s name.

Please note the following:

  • We encourage parents to include healthy options such as fruit (e.g. apples, bananas or grapes cut lengthways).

  • Please try to limit chocolate, crisps and sugary or salty snacks.

 

Special Diets and Allergies including Nut and Sesame Allergies

We have children in school with severe nut and sesame allergies. To help keep everyone safe, we ask that products containing nuts or sesame seeds are not brought into school, including items such as Nutella or Kinder Bueno. If your child has a food allergy, intolerance, medical condition or religious dietary requirement, please inform the school office so that appropriate arrangements can be made. Thank you for your support in helping us maintain a safe environment for all pupils.

Free School Meals

In addition to Universal Free School Meals for Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils, some families may be eligible for benefit-related Free School Meals.

If your child qualifies, the school may also receive Pupil Premium funding, which helps provide additional support for your child’s education.

You may be eligible if you receive:

  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

  • The Guarantee element of State Pension Credit

  • Child Tax Credit (without Working Tax Credit) with an annual income below £16,190

Parents receiving Working Tax Credit for four weeks after employment ends may also be eligible during that period. If you believe you may qualify, please contact the school office for further guidance.