Princess Royal visits school leading the way on good food for children

BY LAURA STRATFORD GREATER LINCOLNSHIRE FOOD PARTNERSHIP

THE biggest rise in foodbank referrals in Lincoln is to households with children, according to the recent Reality of Food Poverty in Lincoln report. Children now represent 35% of food parcel recipients in Lincoln.

I don’t know how that statistic makes you feel - I feel that in my stomach. It stops me in my tracks. I have three children. A school just outside Lincoln is providing free food to school families - you’d hardly think this is the remit of a school, but they see first-hand the impact of inadequate diets on the behaviour, concentration and educational outcomes of children, and the impact on whole families of the struggle to put food on the table. For those on the lowest incomes, the cost-of-living crisis goes beyond economic. Last month, we were in Parliament with members of the Sustainable Food Places network from across the UK, talking to MPs about the work of food partnerships to address such issues. We have been asking our MPs to support the School Food for All Bill. To our mind, it’s a moral issue that all children have at least one good meal a day, but even looking at it from a hard-nosed economic perspective, the Return on Investment is excellent - it’s one of the easiest wins when it comes to children’s health. Universal school food is good for everyone, because (as long as school food is of a decent standard) it normalises good food for all children. I am sure other parents will agree that putting together a nutritious packed lunch that is still appetising by lunchtime is a tall order, and time-consuming. When their peers are eating highly processed food marketed to kids - it can be met with resistance as well!

Washingborough Academy, where all children eat a school meal cooked whole for its work. to food, was Princess Anne. by paid visit to see how they were embedding good food across the curriculum, site and culture of the school. Schools across the UK are taking a leaf from Washinborough’s book by using TastEd lessons in the curriculum. Getting good food on the school meal tables may be a harder task than switching in a lesson, but it is vital. Washingborough is showing that it is not only possible, but has a massive positive impact on children’s experience and enjoyment of good food. The impact will likely last them a lifetime. school

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‘Exemplary’ food education

WASHINGBOROUGH Academy champions innovative food education.

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal joined Dr Jason O’Rourke, Headteacher, on a tour of the school gardens and growing areas and joined interactive lessons where pupils learn about growing preparing and enjoying healthy, sustainable food.

The visit was part of Healthy Eating Week organised by the British Nutrition Foundation which provide free evidence-led resources to support a healthier and more sustainable diet. Free age-appropriate resources are available for schools – ranging from resources for early years, primary and secondary pupils, and for workplaces/adults.

The Princess Royal is the Foundation’s patron and the tour was staged to show her the ‘exemplary’ work of the academy.

Elaine Hindal, Chief Executive, British Nutrition Foundation said she hoped more schools would follow its example: “Teaching children about simple and easy tips to have a healthy diet can truly make a big difference in their diets and lifestyles.”