School Dinners Get a Manx Makeover!

Big news for the nation’s lunch trays – the Isle of Man Government has confirmed a major revamp of primary school meals, with four times more fresh Manx produce hitting the menus and ultra-processed food (UPF) almost disappearing.

From September, UPF will drop from around half of all school meals to just 5%.

Out go the packaged puds and white bread, in come roast Manx pork, pasta bakes, sweet potato curry, fruit and good old Manx milk.

Education Minister Daphne Caine MHK says the changes will give kids a healthier start while supporting local farmers and food producers.

Meals will still be made on-island and the cost remains £2.55, with free meals for eligible families.

The move follows calls from the Manx National Farmers’ Union for government to ‘lead by example’ on local produce.

They’ve been pushing hard for change, pointing out that only 6% of the fTood we eat here is grown locally – a stat that shocked plenty when it was revealed in Tynwald last year.

Parents are largely on board too. A government survey found 58% wanted less UPF in school meals, while just 4% said ‘nah, keep the chicken nuggets’.

Around 3,100 school dinners are dished up every weekday across 31 primaries, so this is a big shift.

And with food waste now being monitored in every school, the government says it’s not just about eating better, but eating smarter too.

The autumn primary school menu can be viewed below.