Schools Dinners
School meals are prepared and cooked on site here at OLSA. We use Lancashire Kitchens to plan a healthy meal choice each day.
Parents must order their child’s school meal prior to the start of the school day (Before 8:30am) to allow the kitchen to cook the appropriate food and avoid food wastages. Meals are ordered on Arbor. If a child has not ordered a school meal they will be offered a jacket potato option.
Healthy Packed Lunches – Guidance for Parents and Carers
At our school, we want every child to feel happy, healthy and ready to learn. A nutritious, balanced lunch helps children stay energised, concentrate in lessons and develop healthy eating habits for life.
In line with the government’s updated School Food Standards, we encourage families who choose to provide a packed lunch to include a variety of healthy, nutritious foods.
What should a healthy packed lunch include?
We recommend including something from each of the following food groups every day:
🥪 1. A healthy main meal
Choose a filling option that includes a starchy carbohydrate, some protein and vegetables or salad. Try to choose wholegrain or higher-fibre options whenever possible.
- Wholemeal sandwich or wrap with chicken, egg, tuna or houmous and salad
- Wholewheat pasta salad with vegetables and chicken or chickpeas
- Couscous with roasted vegetables and beans
- Wholemeal pitta bread with houmous and cucumber
🥕 2. Vegetables or salad
Include at least one portion of vegetables or salad as part of your child’s lunch.
- Carrot, cucumber or pepper sticks
- Cherry tomatoes (cut appropriately for younger children)
- Sweetcorn
- Mixed salad
🍎 3. A portion of fruit
Include a portion of fresh fruit each day. Offering different fruits and vegetables throughout the week helps children enjoy a wider variety of foods.
- Apple, banana, pear or satsuma
- Grapes (cut lengthways for younger children)
- Strawberries, blueberries or melon
- Prepared fruit salad
🧀 4. A dairy or fortified plant-based food
Include a source of calcium to support healthy bones and teeth. When choosing yoghurt, look for lower-sugar options.
- Plain yoghurt with no added sweeteners
- A small portion of cheese
- Unsweetened, fortified plant-based yoghurt
💧 5. A healthy drink
Water is the best choice for keeping children hydrated throughout the school day. Please provide plain water or sugar-free cordial in packed lunches. No fizzy drinks allowed.
Foods we ask families to avoid
To help us promote healthy eating and reflect the updated School Food Standards, we kindly ask that packed lunches do not contain:
- Sweets, chewing gum or full-size chocolate bars (e.g. 4-finger KitKat, 2-finger Twix)
- Fizzy drinks or energy drinks
- Chocolate or peanut spreads on sandwiches
- Nuts
- Takeaway meals (e.g. Subway, McDonald’s)
For a healthier snack, consider fresh fruit, vegetable sticks, plain savoury crackers, breadsticks or houmous.
An example of a balanced packed lunch
| Main | Wholemeal chicken and salad wrap |
| Vegetables | Carrot and cucumber sticks |
| Fruit | A satsuma or sliced apple |
| Dairy | Plain, lower-sugar yoghurt |
| Drink | Water |
This provides a balance of carbohydrates, protein, fruit, vegetables and dairy to help fuel your child’s afternoon learning.
A few helpful reminders
- Keep portions appropriate for your child’s age and appetite.
- Encourage your child to try different fruits and vegetables throughout the week.
- Use an insulated lunch bag and ice pack to keep chilled foods safe.
- Consider reusable containers to reduce packaging waste.
- Please follow the school’s allergy and food safety guidance when preparing packed lunches.
Working together for healthier children
We understand that children have different tastes, appetites and dietary needs. Healthy packed lunches do not need to be expensive or complicated. Small, simple changes can make a big difference.
Thank you for supporting us in encouraging healthy choices and helping every child enjoy a nutritious lunch that prepares them for an afternoon of learning.