PLANS for healthier school dinners, based on the work of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, were unveiled by the government today.
A Children's Manifesto also announced a crackdown on TV advertising of junk food which may be banned.
Prime Minister Tony Blair promised in a recent interview in the M.E.N. that the Jamie's School Dinners television programme was helping the government to improve the quality of meals.
"It may take a little time to change children's tastes, but it will be worth the effort if we can get them enjoying healthy and good quality food at school," said Mr Blair.
The Children's Manifesto, to be launched by Children's Minister Margaret Hodge and the Education Secretary and Bolton MP Ruth Kelly, will set out goals of healthy dinners, proper healthcare, protection from violence and plans to improve protection against paedophiles and restrict access to the internet.
Conservatives and Liberal Democrats dismissed the school meal plans as a "gimmick" but Ms Hodge said the government was serious.
Limelight
"Jamie Oliver is fantastic and to anyone who saw the programme it was gripping TV. We've been working with Jamie for more than a year in trying to work through the policies," said Ms Hodge.
She insisted they had made a start even before Jamie's Dinners, introducing fresh fruit for infant and nursery pupils. "But I'm really pleased that Jamie Oliver has brought this into the limelight," added the minister.
She said the idea was to set tough nutritional standards for schools, invest in kitchens and equipment and train cooks and dinner ladies.
"Some kitchens can't do more than just warm up school dinners, they can't cook fresh meals," said Ms Hodge. She admitted she was worried about vending machines in schools which offer up junk food and fizzy drinks, and also the advertising of junk food around children's TV programmes.
"At the moment we have a voluntary agreement with the manufacturers but if we fail we will legislate and ban the advertising of junk food for children at times when they watch TV programmes involving the sort of foods which are damaging to health," said the minister.
Labour insists it is not creating a "nanny state" and said that parents, not the state, bring children up.
"But the government should not abandon families either," said the new manifesto. " Parents expect government to be on their side."
Should the government listen to the views of Jamie Oliver? Have your say.
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Its about time they did something. I have deep respect for Jamie Oliver, he really has a big heart and does want to do good, especially for young people. Good on him...we need more guys and teachers like him.
Yes, Jamie is right and may be the people that changed the system to, the lowest price wins the contract should be hanging their heads in shame.
Nice little earner eh Jamie??
I've never been a fan of Jamie Oliver but he's bang on when it comes to the school dinners issue. I hope the government really do take notice of him and aren't just looking for another PR bandwagon to jump on before the elections. We want to see real results before the election Tony, not just empty promises which we know you're capable of. Healthier school meals will see in an increase in concentration and willingness to learn, happier kids (in the end) and ultimately a brighter future for the UK. School dinners are an investment in our kids and the future, and should be made without compromise.
From a concerned parent.
Thankyou Jamie Oliver, manufacturers and parents take heed.
What a sensible and caring man/parent/chef Jamie is and he is still in his twenties.
Please labour government get behind this challenge and make sure the head teachers are given all the support they require to get our children eating wholesome food and growing up to meet their full potential.
For thirteen weeks and two days a week in term time little jonny and janey are still going to eat what their parents see fit to give them. Eating healthier food for lunch may also make the evening meal less healthy as they had a good meal at lunch a packet of crisps and a fizzy drink may well undo any good work done by the schools.
Parents need educating- but hang on, they know that cr*p food is bad for their bin lids yet still they give it to them.
I've seen menus at my childs school and I laughed at how unimaginative it was - everything served with 'chips and peas'... well, come ON!!
Parents as well as schools need to be educated - it's not just a school thing, but hey, at that age, thats where they spend the most time anyway.
In an age where throwing a frozen dinner is seen as the 'norm' it seems ludicrous to think that years ago, one had to prepare food. That meant a lot of work in the kitchen, peeling, chopping, slicing and making sure there was enough for everyone and that there was a proper dinner on Sundays with all the trimmings.
People are now too LAZY to get their burgerladen backsides out of the burger bar and into the kitchen to make the kind of food thats more natural - things such as home made cakes and pastries, good wholesome dinners...
When you look at the recent foodscare and how it affected so many foods, it made me wonder, with so many people out there that can't cook, just how this would've affected them and you know, I didn't feel one single pang of guilt for them, only pity that if the people who ate these pre-packaged foods could only get into a kitchen and make it themselves, they could've saved themselves from looking dumb in the supermarket wondering what pre-packaged trash to fob the kids off with.
It's a two way thing... I back Jamie Oliver all the way. Start at the schools... then work on the parents - and it won't just be a healthier bunch of kids about, their parents will be much healthier too.
Jamie has done a fantastic job in embarrassing the Government over the abuse of our school children with the poor quality, nutritionally devoid Protein shapes they are supposed to like - mine think they are disgusting. Lets hope Tony and his cronies do not thow away this opportunity to improve the nations health - the benefits of this are far reaching, including less strain on the NHS and better behaviour in class
YOU DONE IT WELL DONE JUST OFFERING YOU MY SUPPORT I HAVE BEEN OFFERING MY SPARE TIME TO GO AND COOK FOR 4TO 6YEAR OLDS AT MY LOCAL SCHOOL TEACHING THEM ABOUT HEALTHY FRESH FOODS ALSO CARE LOADS M8 NICE ONE JAMIE R.J.DAVIES SECOND CHEF
With regards to the letter in last weeks advertiser about school meals, we work at st peters RC s/bridge and we would like to state that not all school meals are the same as Jamie Oliver portraid. We prepare fresh cooked home made choices everyday, a salad bar what the children can serve to themselves and fresh fruit everyday.We try to tempt the children with vegetables but if they dont take it they have to have a peice of fruit.We only have chips an once a week and put on pasta, rice or jacket potatoes.People need to watch what they put in packed lunches because alot of the food is prepacked (lunchables).They dont have fruit or anything that is good for them,they are given crisps or chocolate.if parents are concerned they only need to call into the school at dinner time to see what choices the children ae given.Three main choice dinner,2 choice of potatoes,2 choice of veg or a peice of fruit and 4 choice puddings which include fresh fruit and yoghurt everyday. zoe and irene st peters rc s/bridge
Well done Jamie Oliver and Nora (the dinner lady). The ministers should be extremely shamed of themselves. The government should also question private contract Scolarestwho believe give kids junk food is responsible. According to one of the espisodes of "Jamie's School Dinners", the company actually declared that it was providing children choice!!! What a load of rubbish. All they care about is making money.
I hope the government do not forget what Jamie has done.