The Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) has been accepted by the Government as a Change4Life partner, with immediate effect.
The Change4Life initiative is sponsored by the Department of Health and revolves around encouraging the general public to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating better and exercising more.
Beverley Baker, LACA chairman, said: “Being accepted as a Change4Life Partner is a strong endorsement of the role school meal providers play in the collective effort to improve the eating habits and lifestyles of young people.
“With the high public awareness of the Change4Life campaign messages such as the importance of ‘one regular meal’ a day, more and more parents will increasingly recognise the nutritional value of a school lunch for their children. School meals are integral in the drive towards reducing obesity and ultimately, future NHS bills”.
More than 250,000 families are signed up to the scheme. The Government hopes to gain the support of LACA members around the country as a way of communicating the importance of school lunches as part of the aims of Change4Life.
One of the key campaign messages is about eating ‘one regular meal’ every day. School lunches are seen as an easy way for children and young people to have a regular and nutritious meal. It can also contribute at least two of the recommended Five-A-Day fruity and vegetable portions.
Change4Life works closely with the DCSF, the School Food Trust and the National Healthy Schools Programme as well as other key children’s agencies to promote the benefits of healthy food in and out of school as well as the importance of physical activity.
As a Change4Life partner, LACA is now entitled to carry the campaign logo on key LACA activities such as National School Meals Week (9 – 13 November 2009) and School Chef of the Year. It can also have a direct link to the Change4Life website from both the LACA and National School Meals Week websites.
In addition, LACA has committed to establishing a specific Change4Life Award as part of the 2010 Annual Awards scheme and for Change4Life to have a significant presence at the 2010 Conference next year.
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By Janie Stamford
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