News • Children's Food Campaign
Consultation Response: Turning the Tables - Transforming School Food
A response from Sustain's Children's Food Bill campaign to the Department for Education and Skills' Transforming School Food consultation welcomes the thrust of the School Meals Review Panels report, but makes 18 specific supplementary recommendations. The introduction of nutrient based standards is one of the provisions of the Children's Food Bill, but these standards must be extended to all food available in schools and standards should also take account of sustainable development.
Dear Emma Seymour
Consultation Response: Turning the Tables - Transforming School Food
I am pleased to submit a response to the above consultation on behalf of the Children's Food Bill Campaign which is co-ordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming (please see www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk). A draft of this response has been circulated for comment to all 158 national organisations which currently support the campaign (see Appendix I).
The Second Reading of the Children's Food Bill took place in the House of Commons on Friday 28 October and a date in June 2006 has been set for the continuance of the debate. The Bill aims to improve children's health and well-being and prevent diet-related ill-health, such as childhood obesity. As well as national and local supporting organisations, thousands of parents have registered their individual support and more than 270 cross-party MPs have signed House of Commons Early Day Motion 378 in support of the Bill.
The Bill's provisions include measures to ensure that every child, whatever their background and wherever they live, benefits from healthy school food environments. The coalition of supporting organisations therefore has a major interest in this consultation and is committed to ensuring that new regulations are comprehensive and effective in serving the interests of children.
WELCOMING THE RECOMMENDATIONS
We warmly welcome the thrust of the 35 recommendations made by the DfES School Meals Review Panel (SMRP), published in its report Turning the Tables – Transforming School Food.
However, whilst the purpose of the recommendations is generally clear, some should be strengthened to ensure that their implementation results in the benefits to children's nutrition, health and well-being. Accordingly, we present our comments and supplementary recommendations below.
Consultation Response: Turning the Tables - Transforming School Food
I am pleased to submit a response to the above consultation on behalf of the Children's Food Bill Campaign which is co-ordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming (please see www.childrensfoodbill.org.uk). A draft of this response has been circulated for comment to all 158 national organisations which currently support the campaign (see Appendix I).
The Second Reading of the Children's Food Bill took place in the House of Commons on Friday 28 October and a date in June 2006 has been set for the continuance of the debate. The Bill aims to improve children's health and well-being and prevent diet-related ill-health, such as childhood obesity. As well as national and local supporting organisations, thousands of parents have registered their individual support and more than 270 cross-party MPs have signed House of Commons Early Day Motion 378 in support of the Bill.
The Bill's provisions include measures to ensure that every child, whatever their background and wherever they live, benefits from healthy school food environments. The coalition of supporting organisations therefore has a major interest in this consultation and is committed to ensuring that new regulations are comprehensive and effective in serving the interests of children.
WELCOMING THE RECOMMENDATIONS
We warmly welcome the thrust of the 35 recommendations made by the DfES School Meals Review Panel (SMRP), published in its report Turning the Tables – Transforming School Food.
However, whilst the purpose of the recommendations is generally clear, some should be strengthened to ensure that their implementation results in the benefits to children's nutrition, health and well-being. Accordingly, we present our comments and supplementary recommendations below.
Please click here to download the document
Published Thursday 15 December 2005
Children's Food Campaign: Better food and food teaching for children in schools, and protection of children from junk food marketing are the aims of Sustain's high-profile Children's Food Campaign. We also want clear food labelling that can be understood by everyone, including children.
