LACA are calling for schoolchildren, caterers, parents, food suppliers and schools to support LACA’s Mindful Meals campaign, which is the theme this year. The themed days include:
- Launch day, good mood food: Launch the week with menu favourites and promote your celebrations.
- Superhero Lunch: Become a ‘superhero’ for the day to encourage children into the dining room. School lunches give them the power to get through lessons.
- Build a Burger Competition Day: To support the book launch a whole host of resources will be available.
- The Feel Good Great British Lunch: Popular Roast Dinner Day showcases the best of British produce.
- Move it for a Better Mind!: Linking the importance of food to Physical activity.
- Be Kind Day! We always end the week with one big celebration and encourage you to invite your local MP or a VIP.
LACA is working in partnership with comedian and writer David Baddiel to launch his new book in schools. Called ‘Small Fry’, it is a story about a boy who has created the world’s best burger.
David will be visiting Central Park Primary School in Newham to support the launch and the publisher, Harper Collins, is running a competition for children and schools to enter by creating their own ‘award winning’ burger. The winners will be announced on Friday 11th November.
LACA’s school meals ambassador, the restaurateur Mark Sargeant, is supporting the LACA Apprenticeship scheme by inviting VIPs and other supporters of the scheme to his restaurant in Folkestone. The event will be used to promote the four industry and sector specific apprenticeships that have been developed in partnership with national training providers HIT Training and Cambrian Training.
This year LACA are asking everyone to carry out small acts of kindness, whether it be a thanks to the catering team, support for others in the classroom, or just lending a listening ear. There will be free resources to download and personalise to run your own competition in your school.
How to get behind NSMW24? For a start, promote NSMW and school meals on social media using the following details:
- Facebook @nationalschoolmealsweek
- Twitter @LACA_UK
- Instagram laca_uk
- Hashtags #LACA_UK #greatschoolfood #mindfulmeals