The organisation first raised concerns about this issue last year and has been calling for a change in Government standards for school meals.The Government has abandoned its current discredited standards for school meals and has agreed to put limits on the amount of salt, sugar and fat, initially in secondary schools and will urgently consider making similar changes for nurseries and primary schools. The Government has also agreed to introduce standards so that pupils receive at least some essential nutrients from fresh fruit and vegetables.

The Blueprint admits that “much more needs to be done to improve the quality of food that schools provide” and commits the Government to providing “additional funding to enable progress to be made”.

Peter Melchett, the Soil Association’s Policy Director said, "The Government have a long way to go, but we warmly welcome this first, tentative step, in the right direction. New research shows that the public clearly wants significant changes to school meals, so it is indefensible that the Government is not acting immediately to protect the most vulnerable children – those in nursery and primary schools. We urge the Government to introduce the same reforms for younger children as they are for pupils in secondary schools without any delay.”

“We welcome the Blueprint’s agreement that there are serious challenges to children’s health and that school meals can play a key role. The promise of extra money is welcome, but it is crucial that the Government commits funds to improve the quality of the food given to children in school. Without more cash, children will not be given the fresh, unprocessed food they have a right to, and that they need for healthy development.”

The Government in Scotland has already implemented quantified nutritional standards, and agreed to spend an extra £63.5 million over three years to fund a programme of school meal reform. The Soil Association estimates that this would require at least an additional £200 million a year in England and Wales.

The Blueprint acknowledges that school lunches provide a significant proportion of children’s food and nutrient intake – over 30% on average – and can encourage pupils to eat more fruit and vegetables and develop a taste for food low in salt, sugar and fat.

An NOP survey of 1057 adults aged 15+ between 5 and 10 August 2004 found that 81% of people agreed or slightly agreed that "there should be health limits on the amount of salt, sugar and fat content in school meals" and 70% either agreed or slightly agreed that "there should be some organic food/and or locally produced food included in school meals". The results have been weighted to bring them in line with national profiles.

http://www.soilassociation.org