Actions speak louder than words...

First of all, we have been holding off posting our thoughts about the Childhood Obesity Strategy that was launched this summer in hope that the document we read wasn’t the last we would hear of it.

Theresa May said ‘the launch of this plan represents the start of a conversation, rather than the final word’… and so I was waiting for either the continued conversation or the final word… to my surprise (or not so much of a surprise really) we haven’t heard any further. 

Now, I’m not here to just criticise the existing strategy… even though it is fairly shocking… but more to think about the part we have to play in what it was designed to do – helping the children.

Rooting for a strong impact from the long awaited childhood obesity strategy, it is safe to say we were all disappointed. 

We were under the impression that the government would state a strong intent to tackle the problem…which would set the tone and priority for everyone else… as we cannot ignore figures such as  ‘nearly a third of children aged two to 15 are overweight or obese.’ Instead, we got a vague and very, as Professor Graham McGregor from Action on Sugar describes it, ‘Insulting response’ to the obesity crisis we are facing.

Our particular focus lies in their action labelled ‘Making school food healthier’.

Team Eagle believes that a child’s school food is incredibly important and often a factor that is overlooked. For many, a school meal is the only hot meal they eat all day – when we have the opportunity to put a regulation on making it the best it can be nutritionally, why is the government giving us such a faint response? 

The Government refers back to ‘The School Food Plan’ throughout and the ‘School Food Standards’. It is ironic as when I attended a recent industry forum, a YouGov poll revealed a shocking figure that only 10% of parents had ever heard of ‘The School Food Plan’.

What surprises me the most ( or again doesn’t surprise me )  is that even knowing there was a loophole for some academies not having to stick to the School Food Standards, there was no intent to close the loophole. The industry was just going to be ’encouraged’ to commit to these standards…and we all know where encouragement gets us… not very far. There are plenty factors that schools need to attend to, they are going to focus on what they need to do not what they are encouraged to do.

It is clear that the strategy doesn’t go far enough and as Jamie Oliver said to Channel 4 about it, “This should go to the Trade Descriptions Act because that says an ‘action plan’ and there’s hardly any action in there. When you look at how the plan came out at midnight, next to the A-level results, while the whole of government’s on holiday, it absolutely screams out, ‘we don’t care’. I’d say it’s never too late to say I’m sorry. And, just sort of, you know, start again.”

That is exactly what should be happening… a restart, a new conversation but most importantly some actual actions.

We just want you to know that in spite of the watered down strategy, Team Eagle continue to do our bit!  

We ensure that every menu we provide our partners schools with have recipes which look good, taste good and are good for you! (Nutritionally analysed by our amazing consultants)

We work with schools that are not legally required to comply by the School Food Standards but we make it easier for them to do so. Schools have tight budgets and many other factors to consider before food (Although food should be high on all school’s priority) which means that they ignore these recommendations. They do what is easiest and cheapest – we are not blaming them but this is why we need stricter regulations.

Not only do we offer the children a nutritionally balanced meal but we also offer:

·         Food assemblies - where we go in and educate the children about food. Children should learn the value of food, the benefits and where it came from. How are children meant to eat broccoli… when they don’t know why broccoli is good for them?

·         Food education training courses for parents – tackling the point in the strategy which talks about enabling health professions to support families.

·         Pupil consultations to discuss food related concerns

·         Dish Development training for making school food healthier

·         CPD for teachers

·       Menu development training which ensures that the individual understands what a nutritionally balanced meal looks like and the components within it. The strategy states we should take out 20% of sugar in products. Our menus are all nutritionally analysed by us and include cuts in sugar for our recipes so we train others on how to do the same. 

It is unclear to us what, if anything, the government is going to do further about the Childhood Obesity Strategy. In our opinion, it is not a question of waiting around for change but as always – just getting to work. So, like we said at the start – actions speak louder than words. Don’t be that person that only complains about the strategy and hopes it going to change – there are a lot of things we, as individuals can do to change the current situation - take action and make the difference yourself.

Do get in touch if you wish to find out more about our services.
Oh and by the way, Happy National School Meals Week and Roast Dinner Day – I hope all you school leaders are making it extremely special for the children… if not… what are you waiting for?  For tips and advice on how to encourage children to eat their school meals give us a shout – we have plenty of experienced consultants that will be happy to help you.

Shaira Mirpuri is a Business Development and Marketing Officer at Eagle Solutions Services and forms part of Team Eagle’s Fresher Files Blog Team

Eagle Solutions Services “Supports Excellent Education and Nutrition today, for a better tomorrow”

The Fresher Files is Team Eagle’s Blog which promotes our “Altogether Different Approach to Food”