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Stigma Surrounding School Meals Reveals Children Could Be Going Hungry

Children could be going hungry at school because their parents are too embarrassed to take up free meals.
Food & Drink, Leisure - 4 November 2011   Download IconContent available for download:  
Audio | Interview with Lynda Mitchell and Arnold Fewell| Login to Download

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The most comprehensive report to date into parents views of school catering and school meals at Primary and Secondary level will be released on Monday (7th November). Young people only had an average of 3.25 portions of fruit or vegetables per day, and 2 of these portions are likely to have come from school meals, which is surprising since over half (55%) of parents admit they are concerned about their child’s diet. The report found that more or less all parents (96%) want their child to learn to cook at school, which suggests the importance that parents are putting in healthy awareness and getting schools to take a more active role in promoting healthy eating and better diets.

The report has revealed parents concerns about their child’s diet - Four in ten (43%) parents felt they did not receive enough information about the school catering, with the menu (90%), how healthy eating is promoted to children (90%) and nutritional content of the meals (87%) the top three concerns. Furthermore parents are also worried about sending lunch money into schools with their child, as they did not want the money spent on confectionary (94%), did not think their child should be allowed out at lunch time (83%) and were worried about the risk of bullying (43%).

The report has revealed that of those surveyed who are entitled to free school meals (4%), one in six (15%) parents do not take up their entitlement, with almost half who refuse (49%) blaming this on the stigma around having a free meal. This causes two main problems: Firstly, children could be going hungry and secondly school budgets are reduced because of the shortfall in free meal uptake – there is real benefit for schools and caterers working together, especially as unemployment is rising.

. Introduction:

The biggest report of its kind that looks into parents views of school dinners and catering is published on Monday (7th November) and has revealed some interesting attitudes of parents to their child’s school meals. From the results, it would seem that some of the public health and nutritional guidance of the last few years may well be paying off, as the findings show that the majority of parents appear to have become more nutritionally savvy and eager to keep tabs on their children’s diet and lifestyle. However, many parents do not feel they receive enough information about their child’s school lunches, and are relying on schools to promote healthy eating.

So, what are parents perceptions of school meals – and what can schools do to make sure children are getting a healthy and nutritious lunch?

Joining us to discuss this further is Lynda Mitchell, the Chair of LACA (Local Authority Caterers Association) and the author of this report and the organiser of LACA’s National School Meals Week, Arnold Fewell.

. Suggested Questions:

What does the research reveal about parents attitudes to school meals in our area?

What is National School Meals Week and how can we get involved?

Why are parents too embarrassed to claim their free school meal – and what are the consequences of this for both the children and the school?

Why do parents feel like they are not getting enough information about the catering in their child’s school – and what can schools do to keep parents informed?

Why are parents worried about sending money into school with their child, and what are the options?

What advice do you have for parents who are worried about their child’s school lunches?

And what advice do you have for schools in the local area who may be listening?

Where can we find out more information?