What’s Really on Your Plate? LACA encourages workshop attendees to track diets
The LACA Main Event & School Food Show will host a series of interactive and informative workshops addressing current challenges and innovations in school food services.
Taking place on 8th July from 11:00am, these sessions aim to equip school caterers and decision-makers with the tools and insights needed to improve nutritional standards, operational practices and food sourcing strategies.
During the second workshop, former LACA chair Stephen Forster will explore the growing reliance on Ultra Processed Foods (UPFs) in school diets. Attendees are encouraged to keep a food diary in the week leading up to the event so they can discuss their own food consumption, identifying UPFs and reflecting on their role in school menus.
Forster will lead a discussion on how this aligns with Defra’s recent push for more British produce in schools, encouraging a shift towards fresher, locally sourced options without demonising UPFs.
These three workshops promise to be a highlight of the LACA Main Event, providing valuable insights and practical strategies for those working on the frontlines of school food provision.
The first workshop titled ‘Allergen School Update and Case Studies’ will highlight the progress of the Allergen School Programme, launched in 2024 by the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, and explore how schools are applying its resources to enhance allergen awareness and safety.
The final workshop is titled ‘Ask the Experts’ and involves Michael Hales, Brad Pearce and Bryan Lygate. This open Q&A session gives delegates the chance to pose questions directly to LACA leadership.
Download the food diary template to keep track of your diet ahead of the session.
The workshops are free to attend and open to both visitors and delegates. Register for LACA’s School Food Show here.