You may remember the big who-har that happened around a year ago regarding UK School Dinners and the role that Jamie Oliver played. Since then many parents have been stopping their children from eating school dinners, instead opting to send them off with a scrummy and healthy pack lunch… can’t say we blame them.
Now it has transpired that a little over 1 year since Jamies outstanding campaign, or perhaps it should be called a crusade, The Government has unveiled a major new package of measures and additional funding to complement the beginning of the new school food standards which were announced last year following the Jamie Oliver Campaign – to ban junk food such as chips etc.
This may have been a long time coming but it is probably one of the best steps in the right direction that this country has had in a long time, especially with the recent news coverage on obesity issues within the nation. The best thing that can happen is to target children of a young age and get them experimenting with fresh and healthy foods rather than take aways and fry ups.
An additional announcement was made that there will be a £240 million cash injection to subsidise ingredients for healthy meals in schools until 2011. Even better news is that children will also be taught to cook at schools from 2008… well done government!
Croydon mum Nicola Woodley says, “The reason I don’t give my son Jack school dinners is because for the cost of £1.75 I can get better value for money and more choice myself. I don’t yet trust the system enough – I know his school is doing a lot better, but it’s not yet good enough.
So, based on all this jib jab from the press and government it looks that School foods are going to be bought in-line and a new route will be taken to get your children eating healthy and early! Good news all round and well done Jamie, we salute you!
