Success on a plate for Leicestershire’s school food

The county council's School Food Support Service (SFSS) was awarded the National Catering Management Team of the Year Award 2009 from the Local Authorities Catering Association (LACA) at its conference. The SFSS management team was presented with a trophy, framed certificate and cheque for £500. In a further boost to their efforts, SFSS service manager Wendy Philp has also received Leicestershire County Council's You're A Star leadership award. Wendy said: "It's a wonderful vindication of our efforts over the last year and although we felt we h d made a strong bid, you can never be sure until your name's announced. It's helped we've had such great backing from Leicestershire County Council, they've been so supportive. "My leadership award is another nice pat on the back, though I have to say, I couldn't have won it without the team I have with me." The SFSS took over responsibility for the meals in 239 of the county's schools in May 2008, after persuading the local authority to bring school dinners back "in-house". Their menus were designed after extensive consultation with schools, parents and governors and emphasised healthy, fresh, tasty food with locally sourced ingredients. Comparing this term with last year's, primary school meal uptake has gone up by ten per cent, while seniors have soared by 15%. "The LACA award is yet more confirmation, as we enter our second year, that we're on the right track," Wendy said. Assistant dircector of strategic initiatives at Leicestershire County Council's Childrens and Young People's Service Lesley Hagger said of the SFSS: "This is the most professional, forward-thinking and 'can-do' group of people that I have ever come across….it has been incredible to watch this team persuade the county council to bring the school food service back in-house and to succeed in bringing schools on board." Ivan Ould, cabinet member for the Children and Young People's Service at the authority, also praised the "remarkable success" that the SFSS had enjoyed, putting local schools ahead of the "Jamie Oliver effect" – ensuring their recipes used quality ingredients and were nutritionally balanced. He also cited the way the SFSS really listened to pupils, tackling the reasons why they shunned school dinners in favour of junk food purchased off-site. It has led to innovative and effective solutions, like the "mobile diners" in secondary schools. Mr Ould said: "A number of young people just don't like the size of the school dining room and prefer a smaller environment. Whereas in the past they frequently went off site and to the nearest fast food outlet, now they eat on site and enjoy what is being provided for them."