Big Way Of Life

Research conducted by LACA and ParentPay, published at the start of National School Meals Week 2011, shows that after six years of funding to improve standards, 89% of parents are satisfied with their child's school meals.

More than 10,000 parents were questioned in the biggest poll of its kind. The Survey also found that the majority of parents have become more nutritionally savvy and eager to keep tabs on their children's diet indicating that Government health and nutritional guidance is paying off.

However, with dedicated funding for school meals under threat, and the exemption of Academy and Free Schools from the nutritional standards, the Government could face a backlash from parents as the hard work of school caterers is undone by a lack of finances and a policy shift.

The poll also revealed:

• 96 per cent want children to learn to cook at school
• 81 per cent want to be able to pay for school meals online
• 15 per cent of those entitled to free school meals are not eating them
• 80 per cent of parents said they wanted more information about what their children had for lunch

Commenting on the findings, Clint Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, ParentPay said: "It is interesting to see the number of parents who want to pay online. 94% of parents find online payment easy but they were also pleased it helped reduce bullying, With some caterers reporting up to half of what's handed over the breakfast table for school meals never reaches school, 58% of parents said they paid online to stop money being spent on the high street ensuring their child received a healthy school meal."

Lynda Mitchell, LACA National Chair said: "Winning over hearts, minds and bodies in the drive to reduce obesity and build healthier lifestyles calls for a united front. In terms of improving the health and lifestyles of children and young people, we are all in this together. It is great, therefore, to see parent power playing its part behind the scenes. School caterers want to work in partnership with parents and their children's schools as well as education and health professionals to ensure we can continue to provide good, nutritious food from which children and young people can benefit, both academically and physically."

Adding her views on this latest research, Sharon Hodgson, Shadow Minister for Children and Families says: "The report highlights some positives, including that parents are increasingly aware that school meals are of good quality and provide a nutritionally balanced meal for their children. However, clearly more needs to be done to ensure that those who are eligible for free school meals take up their entitlement, both by finding ways of removing the stigma many still associate with it, and making sure that parents are aware of the impact that a good lunch can have on a young person's ability to concentrate and learn in class, and on their health."