UNISON backs

Million Meals campaign

UNISON is backing new plans to boost the number of children eating school dinners by a million a day.Around three million children in England already eat school food, but the number has been dropping steadily following moves to ban junk food from the menu.The School Food Trust's Million Meals campaign aims to reverse that decline by encouraging schools to take a lead in educating both pupils and parents about the benefits of healthy eating.UNISON believes that schools and school meals play a key role in educating children about how to avoid the dangers of obesity and bad health linked to diet.Welcoming the Million Meals campaign, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis pledged the union's support and called on schools to sign up to it."Our members are dedicated to using their skills to improve the lives of children and young people," he said. "Schools, governors, local authorities and parents must recognise the central importance of healthy eating and invest in the school food service."