The scheme will see the duo host a number of celebrations throughout the academic year, in an effort to place “great school food in the spotlight” and “make healthy eating easy and normal for children” said, Food for Life director, James Cashmore.
As part of this, they are asking schools to invite parents and other family members to share a lunch with their children, so they can see “how great school food can be and inspire them to select school dinners as the regular lunchtime choice for their kids.”
Cashmore added: “It has never been more important for us to make healthy eating easy and normal for children and despite the fact that only 1% of packed lunches meet the nutritional standards that currently apply to school food, 57% of pupils are not eating school lunches at all.
“It is far easier for children to get the nutrients they need to stay healthy from a cooked school meal, which is why we are putting great school food in the spotlight with the Great Roast Dinner celebration.
“It will give pupils and their families the chance to see just how enjoyable and easy it can be to eat a healthy meal at school, and we hope it will inspire them to opt for school meals and take that first step towards a healthier and happier lifestyle.”
Sarah Branagan, marketing director at Unilever Food Solutions, commented: “Roast dinners are the highlight of most weekly school menus and the perfect way to showcase and indeed surprise parents of the quality of school food.
“With over half of gravy sold to schools being from Knorr, we are thrilled to be working with Food for Life on the Great Roast Dinner celebration to help schools raise the profile of their meals, and encourage more children to choose healthy school dinners.
“We look forward to hearing all the success stories.”
Schools and caterers can join for at www.greatroastdinner.co.uk.