North east feasts on school food training

The Partnership, which is being established by the School Food Trust, will not only train scores of kitchen staff but will educate the wider school community as to providing more children with healthy food options. City of Sunderland College is taking the lead role in the North East for a partnership that includes City of Sunderland Council, South Tyneside Council, Gateshead Council and Gateshead College. There will be a wide range of courses for schools in the region, covering everything from food preparation and cooking, food safety and kitchen management to support work in schools and nationally recognised qualifications at NVQ Level 2 or above. The training will also help school cooks meet tough new nutritional standards which are coming into place in schools across England. Debbie Allingham, Business Development Manager, City of Sunderland College, said: "School catering staff are the unsung heroes – they are responsible for feeding millions of children every day and play a key role in the health and wellbeing of the future generation of adults. So I am delighted that City of Sunderland College is the lead in a partnership which encourages the achievement of nationally recognised qualifications within the industry and offers a framework of development for all school meals staff. "All partners will have access to the equipment, which will deliver 'hands on' healthy eating training sessions to communities and will be ideal for use at sports days and other events."