School Food Working Group
5 Mar 2013
What does a School Food Working Group do?
A School Food Working Group (SFWG) brings together individuals from across a school to look at its food culture (what it teaches about food, the food it serves, the messages children receive about food), and develop a plan for improving it. The introduction of universal infant free school meals and the cooking/food education requirement in the new curriculum present a real opportunity to think anew about these issues.
Who should be involved?
The group should include one or more individuals from the following list:
• The headteacher or a member of the senior management team
• Parents
• Governors
• The school catering manager and/or area supervisor
• Midday supervisors
• Class teachers
• Pupils (4-6 has been shown to be a good number).
What should the SFWG think about?
• What is going to make lunchtime most enjoyable for all concerned?
o Changes to the quality and provision arrangements for school food
o The quality of the dining experience
• How changes to school meals can be supported throughout the school including in the classroom, the new curriculum is an opportunity to refresh teaching on food in school.
• Whether schemes designed to help schools develop positive food cultures and provide resources, such as the Food for Life Partnership or the Children’s Food Trust excellence award, might help you.
What are the logistics?
Typically an SFWG meets once every half term at a time that reflects the working patterns of all those involved e.g. after the lunchtime service). The meetings should be structured in a way to support pupil participation, using break out groups where relevant and creating opportunities for them to speak.
How can the whole school be kept informed and involved about the SFWG?
Use as many methods as possible (assemblies, e-mails and letters home, notice boards – virtual and real etc.) and encourage the pupils to co-ordinate communication, as this
For more information on setting up a School Food Working Group: http://tinyurl.com/k8gobg7
View the School Food Plan Checklist for Head teachers: http://tinyurl.com/lg8x4oj