Free school meals bid to cut obesity
Jul 16 2008 by William Green, The Journal
FREE school meals will be available to every new primary school pupil in a North East town as part of an anti-obesity drive.
All children starting classes in Gateshead from next September will be eligible for five days’ worth of healthy food, which will include fresh fruit, vegetables, water and fruit juice.
MPs praised the groundbreaking initiative, which will see up to 1,400 youngsters fed in the town’s reception classes, as being of “national importance”.
The scheme is part of Gateshead’s bid to cut childhood obesity, which has seen children as young as three treated for being overweight. About 12% of reception-age pupils are also regarded as obese. And it is hoped it will boost the number of pupils taking up school meals. About 45% of children in the town currently eat them.
Education bosses hope more children eating in school will also improve attainment by boosting concentration and improving behaviour.
The council is funding the scheme so pupils can “try before they buy” the healthy menus on offer for youngsters.
Two-course lunches will be available, including a range of hot meals with vegetables, hot puddings, fruit, yoghurt and a drink, including milk, water and fruit juice.
Blaydon MP Dave Anderson said the scheme had a number of benefits for children in the town. He said: “This trial should be of national importance and illustrates why we should move towards free school meals for all pupils to provide a decent main meal, increase educational attentiveness and attainment and as part of the fight against obesity.”
Sharon Hodgson, Labour MP for Gateshead East and Washington West, stressed the importance of encouraging healthy eating at a young age. She said: “I’m a firm believer that universal free school meals could be a recipe for success as we look to curb rising obesity levels.”
Gateshead Council’s Catherine Donovan, cabinet member for children and young people, said 80% of the menu was homemade, locally sourced and cooked fresh on-site every day.
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