The School Food Trust is to ask all academy schools to state their commitment to providing healthy food for children on its website. The charity is writing to all academies in the New Year asking them to confirm their commitment to meeting the national standards for healthy school meals, and will publish a list of all academies committing to meet the standards on its pages for parents and schools at www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk.

Currently, academy schools are not required to follow legislation which ensures that food provided in schools is nutritionally-balanced. The Trust’s letter is part of its research to make sure the Department for Education has an accurate picture of how the policy may impact the food being offered to children.

In her letter, Chief Executive, Judy Hargadon says: “You may be aware of recent questions raised by Jamie Oliver and other campaigners about the commitment of academies to the National School Food Standards.

“Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, has said that “we have no reason to believe that academies will not provide healthy, balanced meals that meet the current nutritional standards”, but at the moment there isn’t a clear picture across the board.

“Having worked with many academies over the years and as the Government’s specialist advisor on school food issues, we’re seeking to clarify the current situation. I am writing to ask you share your position, confirming whether or not your academy is committed to following the national standards for food in schools as set out at www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/the-standards.

“We will be publishing a list of all the academies who have stated their commitment to the standards as a resource for parents and other interested parties. Your responses will also form part of the evidence base from which we will advise the government on this issue.”

Research (see http://www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/research/surveys-and-monitoring#primarystudy) shows that the national school food standards, which were phased into operation for all maintained schools from 2006, have already made a huge difference to the food that children are being offered at primary school:

• Primary school children are eating more portions of fruit and vegetables as part of their meal
• Children have an average of two portions of their ‘5-a-day’ as part of their school lunch
• The average primary school meal is lower in fat, sugar and salt than it was in 2005
• Caterers are providing healthier lunches with more vegetables, salad and fruit; fewer chips and other starchy foods cooked in fat; and no crisps or sweets
• The average sodium content of a primary school lunch has reduced by almost one third since 2005



For further information, contact Claire Rick (press office) on 07867 536 794 or by emailing Claire.rick@childrensfoodtrust.org.uk

Notes for editors:

The Children’s Food Trust is a community interest company working with the School Food Trust, the registered charity and specialist advisor to Government on school meals, children’s food and related skills.
Both organizations share the vision that all children are able to have the balanced diet, cooking skills and food education that will help them reach their full potential. We help schools, nurseries and other early years settings, parents, caterers, councils, local health partnerships, food suppliers and many others working to improve children’s health through food.

Our r Let’s Get Cooking program has established the biggest national network of healthy cooking clubs for children and families with support from a £20m grant from the Big Lottery fund. This network has already reached more than 1.5 million people with healthy cooking activities, and more than half of those taking part say they eat a healthier diet as a result. Let’s Get Cooking also provides training, resources and support to help others set up healthy cooking programs for people of all ages, and is running some of the first projects in the country chosen to receive Health Lottery funding from the People’s Health Trust to improve health in local communities. The School Food Trust is one of only seven organizations in the country to hold a 2011 Health Promotion and Community Wellbeing organization and Partnership award from the Royal Society for Public Health.

Good food is important for:
• Children’s health. The national standards for school food ensure children can get the energy and nutrients they need, as well as helping them maintain a healthy weight. Research for Let’s Get Cooking shows that more than half of people taking part in our school-based cooking clubs eat a healthier diet as a result of learning to cook
• Children’s performance. Research in schools shows that when children eat a healthy lunch in a good environment, they are more focused in their afternoon lessons
• Children’s education. Learning about making balanced food choices and how to cook healthy food are skills that children can take into adulthood
• Children’s welfare. More than 1 million children from low-income families are eligible for free school meals, which ensure they can eat a healthy meal during the school day

• For more information, visit www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk, follow the Trusts on Twitter @schoolfoodtrust or become a fan on Facebook

• Children’s Food Trust CIC Community Interest Number 7449255

• School Food Trust Registered charity number 1118995