What a week we had for National School Meals Week 2024. For the thirty-first year LACA called for all stakeholders to take action to support the industry and get behind the move to get more children than ever eating school lunches regularly.
The theme of ‘Mindful Meals’ was chosen to demonstrate how eating balanced meals can help improve mental wellbeing, as well as fuelling students to achieve more in the classroom.
As always, the year reflected on all the positives, including the value and benefit of great school food. And LACA was particularly fortunate this year to have some high profile celebrities on hand to spread the word.
Not only that, but across the country many MPs, VIPs and councillors made special appearances in their local schools to try the food and meet the children and the catering teams.
The week kicked off with LACA chair Judith Gregory addressing the nation by recorded video message, rallying support for the week.
She kept this up through the week with a new video each day about the theme along with a personal message about why it is important to never stop promoting school meals.
If you missed the videos, then you can still catch up with them on NSMW and LACA social media feeds and website, where they are still available.
Judith kept up the pace with a series of visits to schools in Wales, London and Folkestone before ending the week at the LACA Autumn Seminar at Chesford Grange in Kenilworth.
On the first day, Monday 12th November, comedian and writer David Baddiel visited Central Park School in London to launch his new book titled ‘Small Fry’.
David spent time with the students with a Q&A session, signed copies of books and posed with children for photos. The event coincided with a national competition to win a set of his books. The winner of this was a youngster called Isaac from Clatford Primary in Hampshire, who said he was ‘over the moon’ with his prize.
On Wednesday November 13th, LACA ambassador Mark Sargeant hosted a LACA Apprentice Lunch at his Restaurant MS in Folkestone. This event was organised to showcase the new apprentice schemes now available. Guests included representatives from HIT Training, some School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) winners and, of course, LACA chair Judith Gregory.
Across the country school caterers took part in a variety of specially themed days. The week saw kitchens encouraging children to get active for a better mind, to be a superhero for the day.
And on Friday November 15th, NSMW asked students to carry out small acts of kindness to highlight the social aspect of school meals, for example showing how sitting and chatting with friends and classmates can be good for mental wellbeing.
As ever, ‘The Feel Good Roast Dinner Day’ in midweek set social media on fire with a huge celebration of British produce on offer, as well as plant-based options.
LACA has said it was delighted with the media coverage – local, regional and national – as well the support shown by school meal suppliers and providers alike.
The last day of NSMW each year is used to encourage local MPs and VIPs into schools to increase their awareness of the fact the industry still needs the support of Government, and this aspect is growing bigger every year.
Schools welcomed local mayors and mayoresses, council chief executives, and MPs from many parts of the country into schools for a lunch with the children, with local press and social media channels showcasing these events.
NSMW24 might have drawn to a close, but it is important to promote the industry all year round. This year’s resources will be available into the New Year, and beyond that LACA has a calendar of events to support your marketing needs and they can be found online at: https://www.lacansmw.co.uk/resources/lacas-themed-resources/
Keep following the social media pages for dates and news on NSMW25!