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LACA chair Carrieanne Bishop has been busy tweeting messages of thanks and support to members throughout England for their efforts in launching Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM).

Some schools started back yesterday, but the majority of the 16,500 schools involved began the new school year today and more than 98% are estimated to be ready to cope with rising meal numbers.

Using the hashtag #freeschoolmeals, Bishop said in one message: “Free school lunches will save parents money, improve educational attainment and make sure more children eat a healthy and nutritious meal at least once a day.”

In another, she said: “I would like to pay tribute to the thousands of school cooks, caterers, teachers and council staff who have worked hard over the summer months to get schools ready for Universal Infant Free School Meals.”

She also had a busy programme of media activity ahead of today’s formal launch, appearing on BBC Radio West Midlands, BBC Radio Tees and on Heart, Capital and Smooth radio stations yesterday to talk about the free school meals scheme.