News

The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) has released a report that calls on the Government to protect the health and productivity of our next generation by expanding access to: the free school meal programme, national school breakfast programme and the healthy start voucher scheme.

Hales, who has previously been chair of LACA the school food people, is currently the national vice chair elect. He said: “I’m holding this apple today as a sign of what is missing from children’s hands across our great nations in schools every day. Now whilst the meals served by thousands of dedicated caterers each day are excellent, many children are sadly missing out on that hot, healthy and nutritious meal each day.

“I am very lucky that in my previous role and now here at Juniper [Ventures] to have been able to work with and witness first hand local authorities who recognise the importance and huge benefit to pupils, their families and the local community as a whole of that free school meal each day.

“Children need a nutritious free school meal to enable them to learn and improve the academic outcomes for themselves as well as help them understand the importance of a healthy diet in adulthood. Now the coalition of public health and medical associations, as experts, are calling for universal free school meals for all primary and secondary schoolchildren.

“So please take an apple. Hold it high and take the picture or make a video using the hashtag #GoodFoodForChildren and #FreeSchoolMeals and share as widely as you can. Let’s make a difference today for the children of our great nations.”