Ingram announced that a trial of free school meals will run from October till March 2008, targeting the Borders, East Ayrshire, Fife, Glasgow and West Dunbartonshire.  During this period  more than 35,000 pupils from primary one to three in the sample areas will have access to free, nutritious meals.

In particular ministers will be looking to see whether the scheme produces significant health benefits for pupils, has an impact on eating habits both in school and at home, and alters pupils’ views on school meals. They will also consider whether the implementation has any practical issues for schools, such as kitchen and dining hall capacity, and whether it helps pupils in the development of their social skills.

Commenting on the trials, Ingram said: "We want all of Scotland to be healthier and developing the best eating habits from an early age is central to moving that forward.

"This is about more than school meals. It's part of our wider aim to improve the nation's health and increase the quality of life for families and communities.

"The pilots will show us the impact universal free school meals have on children's health as we shape our policy on improving nutrition, as well as how schools cope with implementing them.  All children within the age groups will get the chance to sit down and eat with friends every day to develop a taste for healthier foods together.

"We hope these good lifestyle habits will stay with them as they grow up. Early intervention is a hallmark of our approach to young people and this is just the start of our work to make children healthier.”