Today sees the launch of National School Meals Week (NSMW) and to mark the occasion former World Champion hurdler Colin Jackson is revealing children's favourite school dinner.

Prior to the start of NSMW 2009, people of all ages were asked to cast their vote online for their favourite, or most fondly remembered, school meal from a choice of twelve typical school main courses and desserts listed on the NSMW website: www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk

From 3,000 votes, the national winning favourite British school main course by a substantial margin was roast dinner with sponge pudding and custard as the resounding favourite British school dessert.

Now in its 17th year, National School Meals Week is organised annually by the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) to support a whole school approach to healthier eating.

Each day of the week will feature different themes and events for primary and secondary schools. On Tuesday 10th November, pupils can go online and learn basic cooking skills by watching demonstrations by LACA's School Chef of the Year 2009, Debbie Mumford.

Secondary students can get active online on Wednesday and watch Colin Jackson demonstrate a wide range of exercises they can do both at home and at school.

Thursday sees students invited to film their own 15 to 30 second TV commercial to demonstrate how they would promote healthy school meals to their friends and colleagues. The entries will be judged by an independent TV producer with the overall winner of the best ad receiving a prize of £350, £250 for the runner up plus five more prizes available of £100 each.

On Friday 13th November they can make thank you cards as a means of acknowledging the great work of their school caterers.

Colin Jackson CBE said: "I have been into schools recently and seen the fabulous food that is served every day. My aim is to show teenagers how easy it is to exercise and my message will be 'now you have worked up an appetite, why not enjoy a great, new school meal?'. My all time favourite was Shepherd's Pie."

School Food Trust chief executive, Judy Hargadon, said: "School food has been transformed; the historical decline in take up of school lunches has been halted, with most parents telling us that they think the quality of school meals is good and that it has improved in the last 3 years." 

Commenting on the success of NSMW 2009's new campaign, Beverley Baker, chairman of the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) added: "2009 is a major turning point in the history of National School Meals Week. We have a brand new format which represents a far greater opportunity than ever before to directly interact with young people through a medium they both relate to and enjoy.

"With a different theme every day that is integral to a whole school approach we can, through fun, relevant activities, directly engage with them and encourage them to adopt a healthier diet and lifestyle. Ultimately, our collective efforts with campaigns such as these, can start to make a real difference to improving their health for the future."

Words: Clare Riley

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