SCHOOLCHILDREN in York will be welcomed back to class in September with a new era of school dinners.

National catering company ISS Education has secured a five year contract at 40 primary and four secondary schools in the city and promise fresh, top quality food.

The firm offers a varied menu prepared on site with 95 per cent fresh ingredients including free-range eggs, Red Tractor farm assured meat, milk, fish, fruit, salad and vegetables.

Andre Mans, ISS Operations Director said: “I came into school meals because I believed I could make a difference to the quality of meals being served to children.

“ISS allows me to put a quality meal on the plate for every child that has been sourced through a sustainable, reliable and fully traceable supply chain.”

The government introduced new nutritional standards for the nation’s primary schools in 2008 and secondary schools in 2009.

In turn, City of York Council has made it a priority for schools to enjoy a tasty, healthy lunch to keep kids alert in the afternoon.

The £2.15 cost of school meals will remain the same.