Free range eggs for York's schools
November 6, 2008 12:00 AM
York's school children will be able to enjoy school meals made from free range eggs from this week.
Primary and secondary schools across York are switching from cooking with eggs laid by caged hens, which are intensively reared in small spaces, to eggs laid by hens that are kept in better conditions and have access to the open-air, which is far better for their health and welfare.
About 70 per cent of the 29 million egg-laying chickens in the UK are housed in battery cages, but increasingly more and more people are switching to free range eggs.
The move to free range eggs will contribute to City of York Council's agenda for healthier school meals, and the switch is also part of the Council's commitment to sustainable procurement, as the eggs will be sourced locally.
City of York Council operates a catering contract with North Yorkshire County Caterers - who are making the switch - to provide school meals to all of York's schools.
Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Children and Young People's Services, Cllr Carol Runciman, said: "The demand for free range eggs has soared in recent years, and it is therefore important that we respond to the wishes of many parents. Locally produced, free range eggs are a healthy and sustainable alternative to eggs from caged hens, and of course are the better alternative in terms of animal welfare, so I am very pleased that we are making this change to school meals."
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