UNISON, the largest public service union in Northern Ireland, has just revealed the winners of its hugely successful ‘All We Need is Lunch’ Art Competition. 

UNISON received almost 2,000 entries and the winners in all four age categories were chosen by a panel of local artists who were hugely impressed at the wealth of talent from our children of all ages.

The local winning artist and school was Cal Fallis from Irvinestown Primary School, who was awarded first prize in the Under 8 age category.

The competition was organised as part of UNISON’s campaign to highlight the benefits that providing universal, free, nutritious school meals would deliver and included a wide range of fantastic prizes for both children and their schools or youth organisations. The winning entries will be showcased online and in a local Art Gallery in September.

Acknowledging the tremendous success of the Art Competition, UNISON Northern Ireland Regional Secretary Patricia McKeown said: “This initiative was a fun, positive experience that gave children and young people the chance to think about what school meals can really mean to them - the good food, the sharing with friends, the healthy future, the great staff.

“Our goal is that every child and young person in school gets a free, nutritious meal as part of their education package. We want a future for them that is free from diabetes and heart disease. We want a school catering system that treats them all equally.

“The competition is part of UNISON's wider campaign calling for the provision of free, nutritional meals for all pupils. With the Covid-19 pandemic having a major impact on family incomes, extending the provision of free school meals would act as a measure to promote public health, to reduce poverty and to improve learning outcomes for all children and young people.

“I congratulate all the winning artists, their schools and youth organisations, and all those UNISON members who made this initiative such a success by encouraging everyone to get involved. The energy, talent and enthusiasm of all the young people involved has strengthened our resolve to win Free School Meals for All. They deserve nothing less."