News

A series of roadshows has been launched to help caterers and school heads cope with the Government mandated introduction of free school meals for all under 8s in September.

Organised by LACA (Lead Association for Catering in Education) and the Children’s Food Trust (CFT), the first one kicked off in Newcastle on April 23, with a further eight to follow around England during May and June.

LACA chair Carrieanne Bishop said more than 90 people had attended the inaugural roadshow and she looked forward to even bigger attendances as publicity about the events gathered momentum.

“From September all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 in state-funded schools in England will receive free school meals. Is your school ready for the big increase provision?

“If you’ve got even the slightest doubt about the question then I urge you to book a place on one of the regional roadshows.

“It is free and will benefit members of any school senior management team, caterers, bursars or local authority catering staff member.”

The programme for each event runs from 10am to 3.30pm and will include a presentation from a senior local authority manager involved in one of the free school meal pilot schemes who will outline how they overcame the challenges they faced.

Myles Bremner, director of the School Food Plan, will speak about the plan and how the latest developments affect school meals provision.

Other presentations will be made by LACA and CFT about the support available, the Craft Guild of Chefs, the Small Schools Task Force, Food for Life Partnership, Elygra Marketing.

There will also be an exhibition at which attendees will be able to sample tasters provided by suppliers.

For more information visit: www.uifsm-roadshows.co.uk.