Derick Martin: Contractors must help continue the Trust's work

Continue the School Food Trust's good work

29th September 2010, 1:19pm

The head of a school meals provider says that if the School Food Trust is axed in the Coalition Government's Comprehensive Spending Review then contract caterers have to step into the breach.

Derick Martin, co-founder and chief executive of Innovate Services says: "It's up to industry to continue making the School Food Trust's agenda a reality – improving school meals for children across the UK.

"While we are concerned about the potential demise of the School Food Trust, we believe it is up to private companies, such as ours, to continue taking the lead in improving the school meal experience for students across the country.

"The School Food Trust, which was set up after Jamie Oliver's high profile campaign, has dramatically raised awareness for healthy eating at schools, however it is now up to firms like ours to continue making it a reality.

"It is our responsibility to provide healthy menu options in addition to increasing meal uptake at schools. We believe this is achieved by working in conjunction with students, teachers and parents to address the entire dining experience: working from the ground up.

"From our experience, it's not just about serving the right food, but also modernising the facilities so students want to be there.

"The School Food Trust continues to be greatly influential, however it is in our hands to continuing driving the agenda of healthy school meals."

He said the proof of the SFT's approach is in the results achieved by Innovate.

The contractor is currently serving more than 40,000 meals a day at 50 mostly secondary schools and colleges across the UK.

For more visit: www.innovate-services.com.

Related Articles:

• 30 Apr 2012 - Fewer teens are having chips for school lunch, finds research
• 12 Dec 2011 - Sharing the School Food Trust’s vision
• 14 Jul 2011 - New school food training launches
• 15 Jun 2011 - The School Food Trust's chief executive awarded OBE
• 28 Jan 2011 - Plans to give school caterers flexibility in promoting healthy meals are welcomed
• 02 Nov 2010 - Southwark Council reveals 10 schools taking part in healthy meals pilot
• 24 Sep 2010 - School Food Trust among the 177 quangos 'facing axe'

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