A Grantham pub is to provide hot meals to its neighbouring primary school as part of a scheme which brings the pub to the hub of its local community.
From Monday 3rd March, The Ropsley Fox on Grantham Road, Ropsley, will start dishing up a range of healthy school meals for over 40 children at the neighbouring Ropsley Church of England Primary School. This will be the first time in around 30 years that children in the school will be able to enjoy hot, freshly prepared dinners.
The Ropsley Fox is taking part in the Pub is the Hub scheme, an initiative jointly funded by Punch Taverns and the East Midlands Development Agency.
Jack Wright, licensee of the Ropsley Fox said: “This is a great example of the local community working together. The school hasn’t been able to provide hot meals for its pupils for a long time and, thanks to the support of the team at the Ropsley Fox, the children now have the opportunity to enjoy a healthy meal at lunchtime.”
The school is taking part in the Lincolnshire Meal Project, made famous by Jamie Oliver’s campaign to put healthy meals on the school agenda.
John Longden, chief executive of the Pub is the Hub explains: “This scheme is a fantastic demonstration of everyone working together to positively benefit the local community. The pub is providing a vital service to local children that will have a positive effect on their health and will also support local farmers and suppliers.”
Richard Tole, corporate acquisitions manager for Punch Taverns said: “This is another great example of pubs innovating their offer to deliver what their local community needs. Thanks to close cooperation between Jack Wright and the team at the pub, the village of Ropsley has a great new facility. This just goes to show what a vital role the great British pub plays in our society.”
To further improve safety, the Ropsley Fox has also installed a new, secure pathway from the front of the pub that runs directly to the school. Parents are welcome to park in the pub car park when dropping off and picking up their children.