The School Food Trust's chief executive awarded OBE

Hargadon has been awarded an Order of the British Empire for services to children's wellbeing. Chairman of the Trust Rob Rees commented: "Judy has inspired our staff and our national, regional and local partners on the journey of transforming school food for our young people today. "Her leadership has steered our work to help schools introduce tough national standards for food and nutrition, which in such a short time have already made a big impact on the food that children eat at schools around the country. "Judy has championed the evidence which proves the importance of a good school lunch for children's performance and behaviour in class, along with the role of the canteen environment in a healthy lunchtime. "As one of the original developers of Lets Get Cooking – England's largest network of healthy cooking clubs for children and families – Judy has seen the programme grow to reach more than one million people through healthy cooking activities. "For me, Judy's experience of public health issues, building relationships and her belief in simply doing the right thing place her amongst Britain's finest food heroes." Hargadon joined the School Food Trust after her own children, now young adults, inspired her to become involved in food issues. In addition to a 30 year career in health care management, with a special focus on innovation and improvement, she was actively involved in the Take Our Daughters to Work scheme, and has been a governor for two schools.