PRIMARY school pupils were given chance to 'grill' the people who will be serving their lunch next year.
Eight pupils from four primary schools formed a panel to help during the tendering process for a £2.2million contract to supply school meals across Barnsley from April.
The junior experts, all members of their school councils and drawn from Silkstone, Kexborough, Athersley North and Athersley South primaries, had responded to a request from procurement officers to give their unique insight as school meals customers. “The young people are the customers and they wanted to have a say about their lunchtime experience,” said Coun Tim Cheetham, cabinet spokesman.“
Part of the process saw the bidders presenting to a group of school and council officers, after which they answered questions the pupils had prepared in advance based on what they wanted from their school meals' service. The pupils scored all the responses, and these will go towards the final evaluation.”
The final result will be announced in January, with the successful company providing school meals to nine primaries for three years initially.
