School meals can cut obesity problem down to size - German

9.16.58am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 7th Sep 2005

Monmouthshire's lead on healthy school meals must encourage schools across Wales to follow the green line and increase the use of healthy, local food at mealtimes.

That's the message from Mike German AM, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats and pioneer of the Monmouthshire School Meals Pilot.

The pilot, which runs in six schools, promotes nutritious meal options, supply networks with local producers and visits for children to local farms. As part of the Welsh Liberal Democrats 'Back to School' week, running alongside National Organic Week, Mr German has called on the education authorities to do more to tackle our children's obesity and dietary problems.

He said: "The number of cases of obesity in the UK has tripled in the last 20 years. All too often school catering contributes to this because procurement contracts encourage buying the cheapest produce rather than the best.

"In the six Monmouthshire schools, menus are being amended so that pupils eat healthy meals that are sourced locally. And it's not just about nutrition on the plate - it's about getting nutrition in the curriculum via cooking and visiting local producers.

"By working through the chain from the local farmers to the children who eat the food, the local economy gets a boost whilst the health of our children improves.

"The pilot concentrates on increasing the use of fresh, seasonal, unprocessed and organic produce for school meals. If we are to get to grips with the obesity 'epidemic' then we must tackle it at the root - and that means healthy, tasty and local food for our children."