"Remove cost barriers to healthy food in schools" say campaigners as Minister launches National Food Debate

School meals campaigners responded today to the the launch of the Scottish Government's National Food Debate and the publication of an official report on Scotland’s school meals strategy by calling for removal of the cost barriers to healthy food in schools.

Inspectors from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education (HMIE) found that whilst progress had been made in improving the nutritional quality of school meals greater urgency was needed, particularly in secondary schools, in implementing and increasing the take up of healthy school meals. At the same time Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, said the government's national food policy needed to encourage young people to develop healthy eating habits.

John Dickie, head of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland, and a leading member of the Scottish Free School Meals Campaign, said;

"Ensuring all our children get a healthy diet ,whatever there home circumstances, should be central to the Scottish Government's National Food Policy. We very much welcome the progress that has been made on school meals so far. But, with less than half of children getting a school dinner, much more is needed to ensure all our children get a healthy meal in the middle of the day. Removing the cost barrier through introduction of universal free school meals must be a key part of the solution. "

Rachel Jury, Communications Officer at the Poverty Alliance, another leading member of the Campagn, added;

"Previous Scottish Government research found that cost was a key factor for nearly a third of secondary school pupils who chose not to take a school meal, so removing the cost discincentive is clearly crucial. The Scottish Government's free school meals pilot in primary schools is a massive step forward and needs to be rolled out as soon as possible.”

According to Marion Davis of One Parent Families Scotland;

“Universal free school meals for could make a huge impact in tackling family poverty and improving children's health and ability to learn. Universal provision has a dramatic effect on the take-up of healthy school meals and on pupils' concentration and behaviour. Public opinion, parents and children’s organizations across Scotland are fully behind the idea of universal free high quality school meals so the sooner the new Scottish government rolls out free school meals to all children the better.”

Media contacts:
John Dickie, Head of CPAG in Scotland on 0141 552 3656 mobile 07795 340 618

Notes for editors

1. for the HMIE Report Hungry for Success - Further Food for Thought published today see http://www.hmie.gov.uk/documents/publication/hfsffft.html

 2. Previous Scottish Government research finding that cost was a key factor for nearly a third of secondary school pupils who chose not to take a school meal can be found at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/01/13110440/3