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Chips down as school term starts | Chips down as school term starts |
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Pupils in England are being presented with healthier choices on the school dinner menu and in vending machines. | Pupils in England are being presented with healthier choices on the school dinner menu and in vending machines. |
The Department for Education guidelines mean meals must include at least two portions of fruit and vegetables and deep-fried foods are restricted. | The Department for Education guidelines mean meals must include at least two portions of fruit and vegetables and deep-fried foods are restricted. |
The government has earmarked an extra £240m to subsidise healthy ingredients until 2011 and school cooks will receive extra training. | The government has earmarked an extra £240m to subsidise healthy ingredients until 2011 and school cooks will receive extra training. |
From 2008, secondary school pupils will also be offered cookery lessons. | From 2008, secondary school pupils will also be offered cookery lessons. |
The overall standards aim to improve pupils' health, behaviour and concentration. | The overall standards aim to improve pupils' health, behaviour and concentration. |
The guidelines are based on recommendations by the School Meal Review Panel and follow a campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver to improve the quality of school dinners. | The guidelines are based on recommendations by the School Meal Review Panel and follow a campaign by TV chef Jamie Oliver to improve the quality of school dinners. |
Other key measures include: | Other key measures include: |
Really the problem is that the take-up of school lunches is so poor and likely to decrease because of the increase in cost Jan PodsiadlyAutomatic Vending Association href="/1/hi/uk/5313882.stm" class="">Oliver's crusade not over | |
The number of obese or overweight children in Britain aged between two and 15 has risen to about 30% in recent years. | The number of obese or overweight children in Britain aged between two and 15 has risen to about 30% in recent years. |
The School Food Trust was set up in 2005 with £15m of funding from the DfES to promote the education and health of children and young people by improving the quality of food in schools. | The School Food Trust was set up in 2005 with £15m of funding from the DfES to promote the education and health of children and young people by improving the quality of food in schools. |
Trust chief executive Judy Hargadon said children who had a "better" diet reaped health and social benefits. | Trust chief executive Judy Hargadon said children who had a "better" diet reaped health and social benefits. |
Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new guidelines would "make a difference in terms of healthy lifestyles and child obesity for a start". | Education Secretary Alan Johnson said the new guidelines would "make a difference in terms of healthy lifestyles and child obesity for a start". |
He told BBC Radio 4's Today: "Teachers have been telling us for a long time that if I child comes into school having had little or no breakfast and something deep-fried for lunch they are not going to concentrate, they are not going to be learning properly." | He told BBC Radio 4's Today: "Teachers have been telling us for a long time that if I child comes into school having had little or no breakfast and something deep-fried for lunch they are not going to concentrate, they are not going to be learning properly." |
He said that offering cookery lessons was part of a drive for pupils to be able to leave school with practical skills. | He said that offering cookery lessons was part of a drive for pupils to be able to leave school with practical skills. |
The voluntary course will comprise 24 one-hour lessons - at the end of which pupils will receive a certificate. | The voluntary course will comprise 24 one-hour lessons - at the end of which pupils will receive a certificate. |
Mr Johnson said the lessons could be offered by staff other than teachers and out-of-school hours. | Mr Johnson said the lessons could be offered by staff other than teachers and out-of-school hours. |
Extra funding | Extra funding |
A Soil Association report suggests spending on ingredients by primary schools has increased from an average of 47p per pupil per day in 2005 to 51p this year. | A Soil Association report suggests spending on ingredients by primary schools has increased from an average of 47p per pupil per day in 2005 to 51p this year. |
But some are still spending as little as 41p per child per meal, according to its survey of 74 local authorities in England. | But some are still spending as little as 41p per child per meal, according to its survey of 74 local authorities in England. |
Compass, a catering company which supplies nearly 2,000 schools, colleges and universities welcomed the extra cash. | Compass, a catering company which supplies nearly 2,000 schools, colleges and universities welcomed the extra cash. |
UK chief executive Ian el Mokadem said: "Extra funding is key. One of the problems was that if you're trying to cook a good meal in a primary school for 37p that's pretty tough," he said. | UK chief executive Ian el Mokadem said: "Extra funding is key. One of the problems was that if you're trying to cook a good meal in a primary school for 37p that's pretty tough," he said. |
The Automatic Vending Association said the new guidelines were misguided and the take-up of school lunches was likely to decrease because of an increase in cost.. | The Automatic Vending Association said the new guidelines were misguided and the take-up of school lunches was likely to decrease because of an increase in cost.. |
Chef Anthony Worrall Thompson said he felt more stringent measures were needed - and more control over the food children were bringing into schools.. | Chef Anthony Worrall Thompson said he felt more stringent measures were needed - and more control over the food children were bringing into schools.. |
He said: "I think if the government are going to tackle this they can't just scratch the surface. I would like it to be one set meal on offer - no packed lunches - and maybe we need to make that free. | He said: "I think if the government are going to tackle this they can't just scratch the surface. I would like it to be one set meal on offer - no packed lunches - and maybe we need to make that free. |
"I'm sure the government would baulk at that but there are savings long-term to be made in terms of the health benefits." | "I'm sure the government would baulk at that but there are savings long-term to be made in terms of the health benefits." |
He added: "I do think we've got to take these stringent steps earlier - and tell kids what to do. Don't let them have a choice." | He added: "I do think we've got to take these stringent steps earlier - and tell kids what to do. Don't let them have a choice." |
HAVE YOUR SAY Learning to eat a healthy diet is as important as any subject Sarah, West Yorks Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAY Learning to eat a healthy diet is as important as any subject Sarah, West Yorks Send us your comments |
The Scottish Executive is also planning to ban junk food from schools and to create a law encouraging more pupils to eat school meals. | The Scottish Executive is also planning to ban junk food from schools and to create a law encouraging more pupils to eat school meals. |
In Wales, a working group on nutritional standards published a report calling for junk food to be restricted on school menus. | In Wales, a working group on nutritional standards published a report calling for junk food to be restricted on school menus. |
The report, Appetite for Life, recommends a ban on the sale of sweets and crisps and an increase in healthy food on the menu. | The report, Appetite for Life, recommends a ban on the sale of sweets and crisps and an increase in healthy food on the menu. |
Northern Ireland's education department has put out proposals for public consultation. | Northern Ireland's education department has put out proposals for public consultation. |