Simon Hughes MP and Pupils from Ilderton Primary School give the thumbs up to school dinners
Simon Hughes, Liberal Democrat MP for North Southwark & Bermondsey, and Councillor Bob Skelly, Executive Member for Education joined pupils at Ilderton Primary School for lunch on Thursday 14 October to mark National School Meals Week.
The week-long event, organised through the Local Authority Caterers Association, promotes the role that school meals can play in helping students to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle. This year's theme is "Food 4 Action," which emphasizes the impact of both nutritional eating and an active lifestyle on students' overall wellbeing.
By eating with pupils at Ilderton Primary, a school noted for providing good nutritious meals on site, Simon Hughes MP and Councillor Bob Skelly hope to encourage pupils and their families to take advantage of the healthy benefits of school meals.
Commenting, Simon Hughes MP said,
"School meals are planned to meet the nutritional needs of young children. They can really help in producing a healthy balanced diet. Adults may remember our school dinners as stodgy and unappetising, but the school lunches today were really good, with plenty of choice.
"A healthy lifestyle adopted at a young age can have lifelong benefits. Healthy eating is vital given the dramatic increase in obesity rates among children. School meals can contribute significantly to healthier living.
Councillor Bob Skelly added; "I had a wonderful meal with the students of Ilderton Primary School, and I encourage students and their parents to take advantage of the healthy and delicious meals that schools have to offer."
Notes to editors:
Ilderton Primary School 020 7237 3980. Headteacher Mrs. Elizabeth Hills
National School Meals Week 2004 website: http://www.laca.co.uk/nsmw.asp
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