The annual event is marked by schools up and down the country and serves to promote the quality and value of the hot, cooked meals delivered every school day by LACA’s members.
Among the highlights of this year’s NSMW will be #cookeditmyselfie, in which caterers, teachers, parents or suppliers are encouraged to post photos of school meals on Twitter using this hashtag.
A judging panel will choose the best one and the winning school will receive £500 of marketing support or equipment.
National Roast Dinner Day, jointly promoted with the Soil Association’s Food for Life campaign, takes place on November 14th and schools will be encouraged to include families on the day to share this traditional, favourite meal.
In fact, a poll this year by LACA found that curry followed by chocolate sponge was officially voted The Nation’s Favourite School Meal and it is hoped many kitchens will recognise this by adding it to their menu during this week.
And a NSMW Roadshow is setting off to visit all ten LACA regions to engage members and pupils with its message championing the benefits of a nutritious, healthy school meal, which include: Education, Concentration, Attainment, Energy, and Nutrition.
LACA will also make a return to the House of Commons to talk to MPs and Lords and serve them samples of the very best of school meals from a specially designed 25th anniversary menu.
In the aptly named Jubilee Room, LACA leaders and chefs will be setting out their stall on November 20th in the final act of NSMW 2018 and give politicians a flavour of what is happening during this week.
Organisers are urging caterers to use ‘Shout Out’ about all the great things they do. Here are the many ways you can get involved:
* Via the Web: www.nsmw.org.uk
* Via email: admin@laca.co.uk
* On Twitter: @NSMW or #cookeditmyselfie or #schoolmealsshoutout
* On facebook: @schoolmealsweek
* On Instagram: @NSMW1
* Or contacting the local press yourselves – any help needed, just contact the NSMW team.