180 schools in diverse communities across England are set to become beacons of good food culture, thanks to £16.9 million Big Lottery funding for a new collaboration of like-minded organisations called the Food for Life Partnership. The positive impacts will go much further, getting schoolchildren and parents across the country cooking, re-skilling dinner ladies, and offering farmers secure markets for local, seasonal and sustainably-produced food.
Led by the Soil Association, The Food for Life Partnership consists of the Focus on Food Campaign, Garden Organic and the Health Education Trust, bringing together unique experience of successful practical work in schools, revolutionising school meals and giving children the chance to grow and cook food, and visit organic farms.
It helps schools think about their food culture and create school meals which are both tasty, nutritious local and organic. Food for Life is based around the whole school approach - which encourages children, parents, catering staff, governors, headteachers and producers to all fully engage in changes to school food provision.
The Food for Life targets are:
1. School lunches should aim to provide food which meets the nutrition standards set by the Caroline Walker Trust and the School Meals Review Panel
2. 75% of all foods consumed should be made from unprocessed ingredients
3. At least 50% by weight of meal ingredients should be sourced from the local region (50 mile radius or the proximity principle applies)
4. At least 30% by weight of the food served should be