Children at two Jersey primary schools will get healthy meals from September in a £200,000 government-funded pilot scheme.

Pupils at Janvrin and Samares will be given a main meal, dessert and drink provided by the charity Caring Cooks.

Each lunch will cost £2.50, and some pupils will be eligible to get the food for free.

Director of Public Health Martin Knight thinks it will bring many benefits;

"Providing good nutrition throughout the school day is really important for children, not only in the short-term - being able to support behaviour and readiness to learn - but we also know that it is really protective in the future from risks of disease."

He says early intervention in a children's dietary habits will have a significant impact on their physical and mental well-being, reduce their risk of becoming obese or developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Education Minister Senator Tracey Vallois is backing the trial.

"It is important that children have daily access to healthy nutritious food while at school; there is growing evidence that a good diet and nutrition improves student performance." 

If the two year long trial is a success, the government will consider rolling school meals out to all primaries.