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Healthy school meals in danger

School caterers are finding it difficult to keep healthy meals on school menus as the price of basic ingredients rise.

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School caterers are finding it difficult to keep healthy meals on school menus as the price of basic ingredients rise.

According to Pauline Page, finance and administration manager at Whole School Foods, a catering company in Kent, food prices have risen by 20 per cent to 25 per cent compared to last year. She goes on to say ‘it's been getting worse since last October. The cost of all food is going up even from local suppliers. It's quite tough at the moment. We're in business to provide nutritionally good food for children but it's a struggle and we need more parents to send their children for school dinners.'

The Local Authority Caterers Association shares these concerns. Chairwoman of the association, Sandra Russell says ‘We're working towards changing the nutritional standards in primary schools and challenging menu changes in secondary schools. To have price rises on top of planning already underway for September is of concern.'

In order to help fund the cost of producing healthy school meals over the next three years, the Department for Children, Schools and Families has allocated £240m.

Chief executive of the School Food Trust (SFT), Judy Hardagon, said ‘It is vital not to lose sight of the importance of a nutritious meal for all school children. The SFT is working with manufacturers, caterers and schools to ensure the long term sustainability and efficiency of the country's school meals service. We are working with food producers and manufacturers on producing nutritious but less expensive menus and products.'

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