LACA is delighted to advise Members that the Association has been officially accepted by the Government as a Change4Life Partner, effective immediately.

Change4Life is a Department of Health sponsored initiative which revolves around encouraging the general public to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating better and taking more exercise. It is a far-reaching, national movement to help families eat well, move more and live longer.

One of the key Campaign messages is about eating 'one regular meal' every day. Eating school lunch is an easy way for children and young people to have a regular, nutritious meal which can also contribute at least two of the recommended Five-A-Day fruit and vegetable portions.

With more than 250,000 families signed up to Change4Life, there is a very high awareness of the Campaign so the Government is keen to gain the support of LACA Members around the country as an important way of communicating the importance of school lunches as part of the aims of Change4Life.

Change4Life works closely with DCSF, the School Food Trust and the National Healthy Schools Programme as well as other key children's agencies to promote the benefits of healthy food in and out of school as well as the importance of physical activity.

Being a Change4Life Partner entitles LACA to carry the Campaign logo on key LACA activities such as National School Meals Week and School Chef of the Year as well as to have a direct link to the Change4Life website from both the LACA and National School Meals Week websites. By becoming a Partner, LACA commits to supporting the Change4Life Healthy Weight/Healthy Lives messages of healthier eating and more physical activity, as part of our promotional work.

LACA Members can become integral to the Change4Life Campaign and directly benefit from its significant promotional weight and high media and public profile. As one of the regular meals of the day, school lunch can contribute to achieving the outcomes of the Programme. The spin off credibility of linking to Change4Life could have a dramatic influence on parental support for school meals.

LACA has also committed to establishing a specific Change4Life Award as part of the 2010 Annual Awards scheme and for Change4Life to have a significant presence at the 2010 Conference next year.

As a result of the national partnership, LACA Members now have a unique opportunity to become Local Supporters. You can register as a Local Supporter by visiting the Partners and Supporter section of www.nhs.uk/change4life or calling 0300 123 3434. As a Local Supporter, you will be kept up to date with news and new tools and resources as they become available.

You will also have access to the Change4Life brand assets (i.e. logo, characters, font and images) for creating your own materials and promoting school meals in your area.

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