Free school meals will be provided to 7845 children in the Falkirk Council area this year.
As pupils prepare to return to school, figures show that 255,231 children across Scotland will be eligible for free school lunches – a number that has doubled in the last three years.
Thanks to a Scottish Government initiative introduced in 2015, all Primary 1 to 3 pupils can get a free meal at school, saving families an estimated £380 a year.
Michael Matheson, the SNP MSP for Falkirk West, said: “Guaranteeing our youngest pupils a healthy meal during the school day helps them to learn and is a huge financial help for their families.
“This is just one of the steps the Scottish Government is taking to tackle child poverty and it’s an essential part of our ambition to drive up standards in Scottish schools.
“I’d like to wish all teachers and pupils in Falkirk district every success for the new academic year.”
