School caterers in Cambridgeshire were praised at their annual conference for their continuing efforts to increase the take-up of school meals.

County Council Chief Executive Mark Lloyd gave the opening address to the annual conference of Cambridgeshire Catering Services (CCS) which was held at the Marriott Hotel in Huntingdon and attended by over 250 school caterers and managers.

The Chief Executive congratulated everyone on the excellent progress and highlighted the importance of achieving the objective of continuing to increase school meal take-up in the face the current economic climate. He also reiterated that tackling childhood obesity remains at the forefront of catering for young minds in education.

Presentations were made throughout the day, including an update of the 10 out of 10 campaign introduced in Cambridgeshire's primary schools, which is on target to achieve an extra 1 million meals by 2011. In addition, secondary school take up is above the national average of 35% as reported recently by the School Food Trust.

The conference provided an opportunity to recognise key achievements. Six school caterers were presented with a certificate together with a crystal vase and bouquet of flowers to acknowledge their contribution.

Carol Bulmer from Ashdon Primary School
Jenny Jarvis from Winhills Primary School
Michelle Taylor from Castor Primary School
Jo Hart from Meadowgate Special School
Debbi Mckay from Peckover Primary School
Pauline Unwin from Swavesey Village College

The conference provided an ideal opportunity for networking, meeting colleagues, sharing information and exchanging ideas of best practice. From the feedback received, the day was a resounding success and caterers are already looking forward to the 2010 conference.