PARENTS fear a price rise in school meals could leave children hungry.
Company Edwards and Ward, which provides school meals to 180 primary schools in the county, are increasing the price of a dish from £2.10 to £2.20 from Monday June 3.
The meal includes a main meal, a pudding, plus freshly baked bread, fresh fruit, vegetables and fresh drinking water.
However, it is feared the 10p increase could leave parents struggling.
Mother-of-four Shazzy Bryan, from Linden, said: "My youngest has just left school, but my niece and nephew are at school and it is most definitely an expense.
"Parents are struggling as it is, so any increase will be difficult to manage.
"I think there will definitely be some parents who won't be able to afford it and therefore children will go hungry."
The contract provides meals to primary and special schools in Gloucestershire, but not to secondary schools, which make their own arrangements.
Jane Woolf from Edwards and Ward, which is contracted by Gloucestershire County Council, said: "Due to large increases in food, transport and staff costs, the price of a school meal is going up by 10p from June 3.
"We recognise that parents are also being affected by the increased cost of living and we endeavour to keep school meals as affordable as possible. We are confident that school meals continue to offer excellent value for money.
"Our school meals are healthier and better quality than ever before, freshly cooked with as many local ingredients as possible."
Last year, there was a 7.4 per cent increase in the number of pupils choosing hot school meals.