LACA: National menu would help implement proposals

Friday, 19, May 2006 12:00

The Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) has welcomed the government's proposed new standards for school meals, saying it will give caterers a better idea of what ministers are trying to achieve.

But chairman Kevin McKay told politics.co.uk the biggest obstacle to implementing the change would be getting children to eat the food.

He said the association would support the introduction of a national menu for schools and has offered to compile a recipe book, listing nutritional meals that children would enjoy. However, he stressed the tastes of children vary from area to area.

The government's £220 million was only enough to fund an extra 12 pence per meal per head, which might not meet the 60 pence per head recommended to the school meals trust, he warned.

LACA, which represents private and public catering managers and suppliers, was involved in consultation with the school food trust on proposals to introduce healthier school dinners.