POTATOES were missing from school meals 30 years ago because the price was proving too much. A shortage of potatoes meant an increase in price and school's had to cut back in serving them at lunchtimes. Potatoes, in some schools, were only available twice

POTATOES were missing from school meals 30 years ago because the price was proving too much. A shortage of potatoes meant an increase in price and school's had to cut back in serving them at lunchtimes. Potatoes, in some schools, were only available twice or three times a week. Instead, schools served rice, bread rolls or spaghetti which were, at the time, described as "something out of the ordinary" for school kitchens. Education chiefs at Herts County Council said although it had not demanded schools to ration potatoes it was aware of the high price. A spokesman at County Hall said it had been suggested that schools should plan meals which were "nutritionally balanced" and, maybe more important, "within the budget". One school where potatoes were dropped was The Meridian School in Royston. The then headteacher, Peter Stone, said: "It is true we are economising." But he added: "We are still having well-balanced meals which are nutritionally correct and there is still a choice." Schools meals 30 years ago cost 15 pence-a-day.