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The Government-funded scheme, which aims to provide free healthy meals, nutritional education and physical activity sessions to schoolchildren in Wales during the summer holidays, has rolled out a new series of awards for consecutive years of ‘exceptional service’.

Ysgol Cybi and Ysgol Llanfawr are two of the first schools to receive gold awards from the WLGA for three years of service. Newly enrolled schools Ysgol Gynradd Bodedern and Ysgol Y Tywyn have already achieved a bronze award.

This summer, 170 primary school-aged children across the four schools received free breakfast, lunch, snacks and a hot dinner prepared by the Chartwells catering team. Dishes on the menu included beef bolognese, sweet chilli vegetable noodles and cottage pie.

Claire Steele, head of operations for North & North Wales at Chartwells, said: “It’s always a pleasure to deliver healthy and delicious food to our local communities in Wales. We strive, not only to provide great tasting food, but to also inform pupils and their families with the knowledge they need to fuel their bodies in the best way.

“Being able to work alongside our partner schools in ensuring nutritious meals are accessible through the ‘Food and Fun’ sessions is really important to us, and we’re delighted that the Anglesey primary schools have received national recognition for their dedication to the health and wellbeing of local children.

“Working closely with local communities and schools, we aim to support and deliver more of these workshops all year-round, as we continue in our mission to engage more and more children with information about healthy eating, so that they can make informed decisions and positive choices.”

Chartwells also worked closely with the four schools to deliver ten family meal events in which pupils, as well as their parents, guardians and siblings enjoyed a dinner together. The ‘Food and Fun’ sessions provide families with the tools they need to cook healthy, nutritious and tasty meals with affordable ingredients.

Carla Desmond, healthy schools co-ordinator for Isle of Anglesey Council, added: “Having four of our schools awarded by WLGA for the great work they do in providing ‘Food and Fun’ workshops during school holidays is fantastic. Our school staff work incredibly hard so it is great to have this recognised.

“Catering is a key part of our ‘Food and Fun’ programme and we’re really thankful for Chartwells’ ongoing support and positive community impact. The family meals in particular not only offer healthy and tasty food to children, they also give us the opportunity to engage parents and bring to life the nutritious food that is served to their children during term time.”