Fingers crossed, the tide of sugar, fat and salt flowing into children’s bodies is turning. Parents and the Government are putting pressure on the food industry to clean up its act in the interests of the long-term health of the nation.
Schools have a vital role in the struggle to protect the young from diet-related illnesses. Some have already taken up the challenge with startlingly positive results. Their pupils are eating better and, surely no coincidence, their behaviour and performance has improved as well.
Breakfast clubs are countering the problem of youngsters arriving too hungry to concentrate on anything other than their rumbling tummies.
Healthy food in pleasant dining halls as opposed to lunchbox junk gulped down in a hurry leaves children fit to learn in the afternoon.
Fresh fruit and vegetables, water on desks and healthy vending machines in the corridor are also vital to the healthy bodies, healthy minds equation.
Most vital of all is giving pupils a say in what their schools provide.
Schools that have taken the plunge discover that children, given the chance, actually like decent food. They like eating it, cooking it, even growing it.
This special supplement celebrates the achievements of those schools and points the way for others to follow suit. Let’s put success on the menu.
