15th Apr 2008 - 00:00
Abstract
A £2m initiative to promote healthy eating and combat child obesity will be announced this week by Liverpool City Council, which they say will bring the city's school meals into the 21st century.
Every secondary school in the city will receive £10,000 to be spent on improving school food and dining rooms. Schools will use the money to buy dishwashers, cutlery, ovens, art displays and furniture.
Salad bars will be introduced to all primary schools.
Fruit vending machines will be offered to every secondary school.
More water coolers will be installed in every secondary school.
A School Food Team of specialist advisors will visit schools to check the nutritional value of the food on offer and arrange taste tests to encourage more youngsters to try new things.
A cashless payment system for secondary school children will be introduced, speeding up lunch queues and allowing staff and parents to monitor food choices. Also launching this week is the Healthy Schools Bus, which will tour primary and secondary schools on request and educate pupils about the importance of healthy eating and exercise.