Your guide to the LACA Conference & Exhibition 2009

Adopting the theme 'Taking The Reins', the Local Authority Caterers' Association (LACA) says that following the 2008 conference 'Big Debate', it is time one year further on to see if the challenges have intensified for school meal providers. They pose the questions: Are LACA members 'Taking the Reins' to overcome the obstacles and hurdles? Is the winning post in sight? And this year's conference panel will analyse the changes taking place and discuss how to resolve the new issues lying ahead. It is appropriate to ask how much of the initiative members are taking as it becomes increasingly clear that the level of supervision and checking on compliance is likely to be light to nonexistence. Ofsted inspectors will not be reporting on compliance. Indeed, they have no specific criteria for school meals nor any expertise or qualification to check on compliance with the nutrient standards. Instead, they will 'prompt' schools to assess compliance. That means if the head teacher and governors aren't interested it is up to the local authority or individual catering supervisor to try to ensure standards are met. While many will rise to the challenge, it obviously leaves scope for those less able or inclined to just leave it for the moment. LACA chairman Neil Porter heads a panel line-up of head teachers and caterers in The Big Debate II to examine these issues. The keynote speaker this year is Caroline Rae, who heads the Department of Health's Change4Life initiative. She will be offering delegates her 'Vision for Children's Health', looking in particular at obesity and the contribution school food can make to tackling the issue. And there is again the results of this year's LACA/School Food Trust Joint School Meals Survey, which will be presented straight after lunch on the first day by Neil Porter and Judy Hargadon. The introduction of the new Nutrient Standards in Primary Schools, and the roll-out to Secondary Schools this September has been a stressful period in the history of school catering. The pressure continues to mount as caterers try to combat the enormous challenges of encouraging head teachers, pupils and students to get on board with healthy eating and a range of new menus. If you are feeling the strain and could do with someone sorting out your 'stress gremlins', help is at hand from a leading stress management expert Ann McCracken. Closing the first day's formal conference proceedings is a presentation titled 'When Everything Else Fails – What next?' Lady Marie Stubbs was appointed as the head teacher with the vision and leadership skills necessary to turn around standards at the notorious St George's Secondary School, whose previous head teacher Philip Lawrence was murdered outside its gates. Marie transformed the school in just four terms to be praised by Ofsted. A true inspiration, she explains what it takes to succeed when everything appears beyond help. On Thursday July 9th in the evening LACA members put on their finest for a gala dinner and awards night that not only celebrates the successes of the school meals sector but provides an unrivalled networking opportunity. Day two sees Judy Hargadon of the School Food Trust looking ahead to key initiatives and campaigns planned in England this year and next, while Anne Bull of LACA's Welsh region and Catherine Nelson of ASSIST in Scotland provide useful reports on developments in their countries on nutritional standards and pilot free school meal schemes. The final address on day two will be given by champion jockey and cancer survivor Bob Champion, on the challenges he's faced and how he overcame them. And the School Meals Catering Exhibition that runs alongside the conference will offer delegates and visitors a chance to catch up with all the latest product launches and developments made by a supplier industry that has had to adapt and grow with the continuous changes taking place within the school meals sector in recent years. It includes the welcome