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The group will use its social media presence to ‘inspire’ and persuade other school chefs to take part in next year’s British Food Fortnight. The national food celebration is a ‘proven catalyst’ in encouraging school caterers to take action to serve British and locally sourced food.

The School Working Group includes:

• Jeanette Orrey MBE, co-founder of Food for Life
• Jacquie Blake, national chair of LACA
• Derek Wright, catering services manager at Blackpool Catering Services
• Tony Mulgrew, catering manager at Ravenscliffe High School
• Linda Cregan, food service director at ISS Education
• Sam Ward, catering lead for Academies for Character and Excellence in Devon

The group is hoping to launch its plans at the LACA seminar next Spring. There will be a rolling programme of features throughout the year on British and locally sourced food that already features on many school menus.

Alexia Robinson, director of Love British Food, said: “Jeanette and I have been talking about how superb it would be if all schools ran a British Food Fortnight menu during the national food celebrations next year.

“Hundreds of schools already take part every year; this year’s British Food Fortnight school promotions reached over one million young people. I am delighted that some of the very best leaders in school catering have agreed to join the group. We are all much looking forward to working together to achieve this.”

In addition there will be an online hub with tips on how to take part, sample menus and promotional materials to download.

Blake added: “LACA are delighted to be working with Love British Food and back their British Food Fortnight menu.

"Our members are pleased to support British food and local suppliers, this is the best way to not only educated children on where their food comes from, but also reduce carbon emissions in the food supply chain.

"Having two weeks next year to promote British food is a great way to encourage parents, pupils and schools to get involved.”