Pupils serve up tasty treats
Youngsters should kick junk food out of the kitchen by learning how to serve up healthier tasty treats. Youngsters should kick junk food out of the kitchen by learning how to serve up healthier tasty treats. That is the message behind Ready Steady Chefs, a new campaign to teach children across Staffordshire how to prepare simple, nutritious and affordable meals. Britain's obesity epidemic has seen the number of overweight children double in the last 20 years and the rise has been linked to consumption of fatty, sugary foods and drinks. There is also concern about the increasing reliance on ready and microwave meals, which are highly-processed and often contain high levels of salt or fat. Read the full story in the Express & Star.
That is the message behind Ready Steady Chefs, a new campaign to teach children across Staffordshire how to prepare simple, nutritious and affordable meals.
Britain's obesity epidemic has seen the number of overweight children double in the last 20 years and the rise has been linked to consumption of fatty, sugary foods and drinks.
There is also concern about the increasing reliance on ready and microwave meals, which are highly-processed and often contain high levels of salt or fat.
The programme is aimed at 11 and 12-year-olds, mainly through after-school clubs, with parents also invited to get involved. Tasty recipes will include dishes like vegetable casserole, cottage pie, scone-base pizzas and chicken tortilla wraps.
Schools in Cannock, Stafford, Burton and Tamworth will take part in Ready Steady Chefs, which got off the ground thanks to a £5,000 grant from the Food Standards Agency.
Lucy Gratton, community food co-ordinator for Staffordshire County Council, said: "There is a wealth of evidence that less 'real' food is now being prepared in most homes.
"We want to help re-educate children and adults and show them that cooking a proper meal can be easy, quick, cheap and fun."
Robert Simpson, the county council's deputy leader and cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This programme will be excellent news for the families taking part.
"We all lead busy lives and there is no doubt that takeaway and ready meals can be convenient. Unfortunately they are now the norm rather than the exception and it is having an impact on the health of children.
"Students do learn a good deal about nutrition at school, but this course will add to the practical, hands-on approach."
Susan Woodward, cabinet member for healthier communities, said: "Rising levels of obesity are a problem across the developed world and there is no doubt that the increased consumption of highly processed food has a lot to do with this.
"Making a meal from fresh ingredients is a much healthier alternative, but unfortunately it does seem to be a dying art."
