To ensure the food provided at S. Anselm’s promotes the health and well-being of pupils we are using the Government’s minimum Food-based Standards for School Meals (and The School Food Trust’s guidelines on these) as our benchmark. Although obligatory for all State schools, as an independent school we are not obliged to comply. However, we believe we have a moral and ethical responsibility for the well-being of the children in our care to do so. Once we have achieved compliance we will work towards meeting the more detailed Nutrient-based Standards.

Key requirements of the Food-based Standards are to increase the intake of fruit and vegetables and oily fish, offer healthier drinks, restrict confectionery, condiments, high sugar and salt snacks, deep fried foods and processed meat products, thereby increasing fibre, vitamins and minerals and reducing saturated fat, sugar and salt in the foods provided at school.

Full details about these Standards can be viewed by clicking on ‘The School Food Trust’s Guide to introducing the Government’s food-based and nutrient-based standards for school lunches’ as follows:- www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/UploadDocs/Library/Documents/sft_nutrition_guide_aug08.pdf

For a summary of the standards please look at Appendix 1 (pages 151-155)

If you would like to learn more about the issues surrounding school food in general please have a look at The School Food Trust ‘s website which is www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk