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Radical plans for school dinners Radical plans for school dinners
(40 minutes later)
A twice-weekly limit on chips as well as a ban on chocolate could be brought into schools, as part of an £8.4m Welsh Assembly Government initiative.A twice-weekly limit on chips as well as a ban on chocolate could be brought into schools, as part of an £8.4m Welsh Assembly Government initiative.
The radical changes being unveiled by the Education Minister Jane Hutt could mean pupils will be offered fruit and vegetables twice a day.The radical changes being unveiled by the Education Minister Jane Hutt could mean pupils will be offered fruit and vegetables twice a day.
The plans are aimed at cutting child obesity and improving children's long-term eating habits and health.The plans are aimed at cutting child obesity and improving children's long-term eating habits and health.
Ms Hutt said evidence suggested pupils who ate healthily did better at school.Ms Hutt said evidence suggested pupils who ate healthily did better at school.
In recent years the issue of school dinners has frequently made headlines, with campaigns for healthier eating led by Jamie Oliver.In recent years the issue of school dinners has frequently made headlines, with campaigns for healthier eating led by Jamie Oliver.
Back in September, the celebrity chef backed a scheme by Denbighshire council to stop pupils leaving the school premises at lunchtime to stop children eating unhealthily. Last September, the celebrity chef backed a scheme by Denbighshire council to stop pupils leaving the school premises at lunchtime to stop children eating unhealthily.
Recommended standards for school lunches in Wales Oily fish on the menu at least once every two weeksNo less than two portions of fruit and vegetables per day per childChips and deep fried food not served more than twice a weekReformed/reconstituted meat should not be served A variety of breads should be encouraged including wholemeal breadSweets, crisps and chocolate bannedRestricted salt in cooked foodSource: the Welsh Assembly Government's Appetite for Life Action Plan Recommended standards for school lunches in Wales Oily fish on the menu at least once every two weeksNo less than two portions of fruit and vegetables per day per childChips and deep fried food not served more than twice a weekReformed/reconstituted meat should not be served A variety of breads should be encouraged including wholemeal breadSweets, crisps and chocolate bannedRestricted salt in cooked food Source: the Welsh Assembly Government's Appetite for Life Action Plan
Mr Oliver, who has pushed for schools to be allocated more money to provide healthier meals, said the plan would not work everywhere, and the priority was to offer children good food in school.
The assembly government's latest scheme aims to provide healthy food for all school children, but it could take up to two years before some pupils' eating habits are changed.The assembly government's latest scheme aims to provide healthy food for all school children, but it could take up to two years before some pupils' eating habits are changed.
Initially, four local authorities will take part in a trial, with their findings used to help roll out the scheme to schools across the country.Initially, four local authorities will take part in a trial, with their findings used to help roll out the scheme to schools across the country.
The assembly government has promised £6.6m towards gearing up schools to meet the new standards.
Earlier this month, Mr Oliver accused the UK government of failing to honour its promises on healthier school dinners, highlighting one failing as a lack of training of school catering staff.
The assembly government acknowledged school caterers were central to the success of its Appetite for Life Action Plan Initiative.
It said £1.8m had been made available to local authorities over two years to provide a training package.
'Good habits'
Launching the action plan, Ms Hutt said: "All of us know the importance of a balanced diet and how essential it is to children and young people if they are to develop and grow into healthy adults.Launching the action plan, Ms Hutt said: "All of us know the importance of a balanced diet and how essential it is to children and young people if they are to develop and grow into healthy adults.
Jamie Oliver has campaigned for healthier school meals
"Increasing evidence suggests that pupils who eat healthy balanced meals display better concentration and improved levels of attainment.
"The Welsh Assembly Government is totally committed to improving the health of children and young people in Wales by taking a whole school approach to food and nutrition."
The Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said although general health was improving, he was concerned about the "rising epidemic" of obesity.The Chief Medical Officer for Wales Dr Tony Jewell said although general health was improving, he was concerned about the "rising epidemic" of obesity.
He said: "We must work hard to reverse this trend and it is therefore vital we encourage children to have a good diet and take regular physical activity when they are young so that they develop good habits they can take into adulthood. "He said: "We must work hard to reverse this trend and it is therefore vital we encourage children to have a good diet and take regular physical activity when they are young so that they develop good habits they can take into adulthood. "
Head teacher Sharon Davies, of Ysgol Llanddulas, Conwy, said it is important to teach children about healthy eating.
"We need to make sure that children eat healthily and are educated really to know what to choose," she said.
Professor Kevin Morgan, who is part of the Food in Schools group which drew up the Appetitive for Life document, said the plans were "very radical" but warned local councils could face financial difficulties implementing the reforms.Professor Kevin Morgan, who is part of the Food in Schools group which drew up the Appetitive for Life document, said the plans were "very radical" but warned local councils could face financial difficulties implementing the reforms.
"The big challenge is whether we can actually respond to what we call the "big squeeze". The big squeeze is rising costs on the one hand and falling take up rates on the other," he added "The big challenge is whether we can actually respond to what we call the "big squeeze". The big squeeze is rising costs on the one hand and falling take-up rates on the other," he added