There has been a lot of interest over the past few years in the nutrition and food in our schools. Jamie Oliver famously raised the profile of this issue a few years ago and it is still a subject that is on the discussion board. There is still a worry about the levels of obesity amongst the younger generation and concern that they have properly balanced nutritious meals.

Things are changing, too, under new regulations from the government. What is happening? The government is introducing changes so that those in the catering industry at management level will have more ability to be flexible when it comes to setting prices for the school meals.

Why is this measure being introduced? It is said that the new arrangement will give flexibility to caterers so that they can promote certain items (with the goal of encouraging pupils to choose a more healthy option). This should be taken in context with other competing ‘promotion’ meals such as takeaways, when low value products which are not so healthy are made more attractive to pupils.

There have been studies in the past to show the correlation between the food and drinks which children consume and their performance levels in class. There have been reports those children who have had a filling and nutritious meal can do better in the classroom. Hopefully, the new powers which are being introduced will help children to make wiser choices that may well help not only their diet, but also their performance at school.

Posted by Matt on the 6th January 2012