Mobile food units are big hit with schools

The stainless steel trailers have been purchased by the County Council and have been put into Hind Leys in Shepshed, Groby Community College and King Edward Vll Community College in Coalville. The aim of the mobile diners is to encourage pupils to eat a healthy lunch by giving them an alternative to sitting down in a canteen, and so discouraging them from leaving the school site in search of 'fast food' options. Food on offer in the trailers includes items like baguettes, sandwiches, salads, warm food such as pizza and paninis and treats including biscuits and muffins. Ivan Ould, County Council Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People's Service, said: "The cabins are part of a long term initiative to try and get young people to eat more healthily by eating at meal times. A large number of children won't eat in the school canteen and would rather spend their money on chips or burgers. The purpose of the cabins is to give the children a bigger choice within the school by offering another alternative." The trailers were put in place at the beginning of the school term in September and they are already proving to be a success with the students. Gaynor Underhill, Vice Principle at King Edward Vll Community College, said: "The units have already been a great success - in spite of the awful weather! I think it's safe to say that if the students will come out in the cold then they'll be even more popular come the summer months. It is great to have an extra facility to the dining hall and means that at lunch time the students are spread out over the school campus and aren't crowded into one room." "We're hoping to open the facility at break times soon and to also expand what is on offer to eat. We have put picnic benches in the vicinity of the cabin and this means pupils can sit and eat outside whilst watching the sports teams play on the games pitch as well if they like." The students at King Edward VII are also enthusiastic about the trailers. Kelly Barney, 16, who is in the sixth form at the college said: "The trailers are a really good idea as the dining hall is always busy and this means you can eat your lunch in peace and outside which is good." Fourteen-year-old Dean Harmer said: "I really like them because I don't like to go in to the canteen as it's always rammed and I would rather be outside with my mates." Vicky Simpson, 15, said: "We have more choice with the cabin as well and it is great to be able to eat outside where it is less crowded. The food is really good and isn't as heavy as eating a full meal in the dinner hall."