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Time to win the hearts, minds and taste buds of a new generation - Burstow
October 17, 2005 12:00 AM
Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, last week joined neighbouring MP Tom Brake and the Mayor of Sutton, Councillor Lesley O'Connell, to launch the new school schools menu as part of
National School Meals Week (10-14 October).
The MPs and Mayor took part, along with pupils, teachers and parents in a recipe based version of the Generation Game.
Also last week Paul Burstow met award-winning food writer Sophie Grigson in the House of Commons at the Parliamentary launch of the Children's Food Bill. The Private Members' Bill, which Paul Burstow is a co-sponsor of, was launched during National School Meals Week and calls on the Government to ban advertising of junk food to children and improve food education.
Paul Burstow said, "The Children's Food Bill aims to stop the marketing of fatty, sugary and salty foods to children, and to equip all schoolchildren with cooking skills.
"While the Government's proposals to improve school food and remove unhealthy foods from school vending machines is good news for children's health, but even more needs to be done to tackle the timebomb childhood obesity.
"Good school food has a key part to play in delivering good education. If the Bill becomes law it will help to challenge the fast food culture and win the hearts, minds and taste buds of a new generation."
Sophie Grigson joined more than twenty other top chefs and food writers this week including Gary Rhodes, Nigel Slater, Raymond Blanc and Antony Worrall Thompson to write an open letter to the Prime Minister calling on him to support the Bill and protect children from junk food marketing.
She said:
"To change children's attitudes to food, we need to improve their food environments both in and out of school. As well as presenting good appetising food on their plates, we must protect children from advertisements which promote unhealthy food and drinks, and make sure they learn the skills that enable them to prepare delicious healthy food from fresh ingredients".
ENDS.
Notes to editors
1. Photo of Paul Burstow with Sophie Grigson attached at the launch of the Children's Food Bill in the House of Commons, which took place on Wednesday 12th October, as part of national school meals week.
2. Paul Burstow is one of the co-sponsors of the Children's Food Bill which has its second reading on 28th October 2005. The Bill is also supported by 150 national organisations and thousands of concerned parents.
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