Food campaigns

Feed Me Better

Jamie Oliver has brought attention to the state of school dinners and, with the help of a 271,677 signature petition, got a positive response (and cash!) from the Government. Many parents and schools have been doing this locally for some time. To find out how to get involved and improve your kids' health go to: feed me better

Obesity
Following the publication of the Commons Health Committee report on obesity, experts have urged the government, the food industry, including supermarkets and advertisers, to act to tackle the problem. MPs also warned that changing children’s eating habits is the key to tackling the obesity time bomb. At present in Britain one in five women, one in four men and one in ten children are obese. The BBC website has ten tips for dealing with obesity and advice about obesity in children.

Free school meals
One in three school children live in poverty in the UK, yet only one in five school children are currently eligible to receive a free school meal. The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) is campaigning to extend entitlement to free school meals to all children who live in poverty. For information about their campaign and about ending the stigma of free school dinners see “press and campaigns” on www.cpag.org.uk

Scottish Free School Meals Campaign

The Scottish Free School Meals Campaign is coordinated by a consortium of organisations including: CPAG; Poverty Alliance; One Parent Families Scotland; Scottish Local Government Forum Against Poverty.  For more information see www.freeschoolmeals.org.uk

Organic food
Many more people are choosing to eat organic food nowadays because they feel is it better for them and the environment. Organic food is grown without artificial pesticides or fertilisers, and factors such as animal welfare and environmental issues are given greater consideration by the producers. The animals are not intensively farmed and the routine use of antibiotics is prohibited. Whilst many are now convinced of the benefits of an organic diet, cost is still a problem. For ideas about how to eat organic on a budget see: www.ivillage.co.uk or www.soilassociation.org.uk

Food miles
‘Food miles’ is the term used to describe the distance our food travels to reach our plates. Although food miles increase customer choice, bringing us green beans from Nairobi and apples from New Zealand, it causes massive pollution. There is local pollution caused by freight traffic and increased air traffic damages the global environment.

Goods that cover large distances are usually coated in an array of chemicals to prevent rotting or even ripening. This means they may be of lower nutritional value and less tasty than food that is bought locally. In addition, packaging to preserve the produce during its long journey to the UK has increased the waste we dispose of each week. Many organisations are now campaigning to make us more aware of food miles and are encouraging us to eat more locally grown, seasonal produce. For information see the following:
www.sustainweb.org
www.foe.co.uk
www.localfoodworks.org

GM
See The Soil Association for their take on the issues and news updates about the commercial growing of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in England.

Disclaimer
All content in the Healthy Ideas section is for general information only and is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your GP if you are concerned about your health. SPAN is not responsible or liable for any actions taken by a user of this site. SPAN is not liable for the contents of any external sites listed, nor does it endorse any advice, products or services mentioned on these sites.