Healthy food matters
We have a special interest in food, and offer children all wholefood healthy snacks and drinks. We are aware of recent press reports about food standards for younger children such as this one:
"A survey of 1,773 parents and 487 nursery schools found that foods banned or restricted in primary schools, including chips, sweets and crisps, are still regularly fed to children in nurseries.
"The survey by the Soil Association and Organix food company, found that some nurseries spend as little as 25p a day to feed each child.
"Peter Melchet, Policy Director for the Soil Association, said: 'Children under five are at their most vulnerable. It is then they need really healthy food'.
Judy More, a paediatric dietician and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association said that childminders and day nurseries could often lack the expertise required to ensure children are given healthy, balanced diets. She said: 'Generally . . . carers are trying to get it right, but lack of support and guidance means some are getting it wrong'.
"The National Obesity Forum has criticised the sponsorship of the London Olympics by the confectionery company, Cadbury. Tam Fry, a NOF board member, said he would be 'very concerned' that it would encourage children to eat chocolate. Cadbury's chief executive said no voucher collection schemes or chocolate giveaways would be part of the sponsorship deal, but added 'treats can be consumed responsibly - the key is how to balance consumption of treats and physical activity'.
"Jamie Oliver has written to ministers urging them to reintroduce cookery classes to tackle the country's obesity problem. He suggested that his 'Ministry of Food' - filmed by Channel 4 in which he shows the people of Rotherham how to cook - be extended nationwide." (Express, 21 Oct 2008, p7; Guardian, 21 Oct 2008, p13; Guardian Education, 21 Oct 2008, p19; Independent, 21 Oct 2008, p18; Mail, 21 Oct
2008, p36; Telegraph, 21 Oct 2008, p8)