Demand for school dinners 'on the rise'

July 09 2010

The popularity of school meals has increased considerably over the last year, it has been revealed.

Figures published by the School Food Trust show that an additional 320,980 youngsters are now enjoying a healthy meal at lunchtime, compared to the 2008/09 academic year.

The proportion of children choosing to eat school dinners currently stands at 41.4 per cent.

"The number of children eating school meals had been on a downward spiral for many years when Jamie Oliver brought the issue into the nation's living room, leading to even more children and parents turning their backs on canteens," said School Food Trust chair Rob Rees.

However, he added that there is still a lot of work to be done before the school food revolution is complete.

Health secretary Andrew Landsley was criticised last month for suggesting that Jamie Oliver's campaign had not had a major impact and may have prompted more schoolchildren to buy their own food instead of visiting the canteen.

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