During the event panellists from across education, agriculture, local government and public health, discussed the challenges facing child nutrition and how schools and early years providers could continue their work to raise standards under the Soil Association’s initiative.
However, the challenge is not just one for government said Henry Dimbleby MBE, the independent lead for National Food Strategy. ‘We simply can’t just pass laws and expect the whole system to change … it’s not just about government, it needs dispersed leadership across the country.’
Delegates also agreed with calls to introduce an inspections body to oversee food provision and education in schools and nurseries, although many expressed dismay at the unwillingness of Ofsted to take up the role.
Blackawton Primary School in Totnes received the inaugural Pete Melchett Award, recognising the school’s ‘outstanding achievement’ in nurturing the health and wellbeing of its pupils through food.