Jamie Oliver To Blame For The Downfall Of School Lunches

[matcom]

<snip>

The school meals service in England is facing collapse because children are shunning healthy menus, caterers will warn today.

School caterers say children have given the thumbs-down to Jamie Oliver-inspired healthy meals

Ever since Jamie Oliver's award-winning programme exposed the poor quality of school dinners, some have seen a 30 per cent reduction in their takings from meals and vending.

Fresh ingredients to replace reheated ready meals have put up the cost of school dinners, while labour costs have also shot up, according to a report by the Local Authority Caterers Association.

"In 2007 the picture is one of considerable concern over the future viability of the school meals service, particularly in secondary schools," its report says.

Sandra Russell, its chairman, will tell the association's conference in Birmingham today that her worst fears have been realised as pupils vote with their feet and take their money elsewhere.

"We cannot expect to reverse an embedded eating culture overnight nor can we convert teenagers to a healthier regime by force," she will say.

"We are in danger of the secondary school meal service fragmenting or dying altogether if we are not careful." The news comes as Scotland announces free meals for 35,000 primary school children in a pilot to provide evidence for future policy on improving health and nutrition.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/12/nfood112.xml

[underpants]

1. Oh come on we all know who the real culprit here is

[matcom]

2. that is the gayest sweater i've seen

who is that? John McCaine?

[mainegreen]

3. I believe this is the image you meant to post

[Rabrrrrrr]

4. I thought they used House Elves in England?

:shrug: