For the first time, the new Hampshire school menu launched on 3 November will feature the logo of the Marine Stewardship Council. The menus now feature three fish meals that are approved by the organisation which promotes the use of fish and seafood from sustainable stocks in order to protect and maintain the health of our oceans for generations to come.

In addition to an already approved Salmon fillet in a non-fried crispy crumb coating, an additive-free Pollock fishcake and additive-free fish goujons which are both suitable for children on wheat and gluten-free diets, have also received approval. Both products were trialled and taste-tested to ensure that they were a hit with youngsters.

In Hampshire around 98 per cent of schools have already achieved or are working towards ‘The Enhanced Healthy School’ status, which requires schools to demonstrate how they are providing pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding to live a healthy life. The programme includes personal, social and health education, healthy eating, physical activity and emotional health and well-being and is designed to build the confidence and emotional resilience that children need to be good learners.

Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Ken Thornber, said: “I am delighted that there are now more menu options that not only meet the high levels of nutrition and taste that are demanded by the Government and our pupils, but also that more of the menu offered by HC3S is helping to protect the environment and support local producers across Hampshire. The MSC accreditation is a clear sign that we are feeding children across the county healthy and nutritious meals whilst ensuring that we have fish to serve them in the future.

“It’s vital that every pupil gets a balanced meal at school because a healthy diet is linked to improved well-being, better behaviour and an increased ability to learn. Our pupils can select a main meal, a side helping of vegetables or salad and a dessert, which combine to make up a third of the recommended daily intake of vitamins and minerals for a child.

We know that the most important thing for pupils is taste and because HC3S staff aim to produce meals that are enjoyable as well as nutritional, they are always keen to hear the views of children for ideas on how to improve their menus.”

Parents and children across Hampshire can now also have their say on which dishes they would like to see on the next school meals menu cycle, by voting for their favourite meals online.

New feedback pages are now available by logging onto www.myschoollunch.co.uk/hampshire/parents/menu_vote where parents and pupils can rate the meals and add their comments.

Hampshire County Council’s Catering Service (HC3S) supplies school meals for 447 Primary and Special schools and 32 Secondary schools in the county and actively promotes the use of local produce. There are now 26 local producers supplying HC3S. A list of their local suppliers can be found at: http://www3.hants.gov.uk/caterers/hc3s-food/hc3s-localsuppliers.htm

Youngsters can learn more about marine environmental issues and sustainable fishing with fun activities in the classroom and on the website www.fishandkids.org.

Looking after Hampshire, looking out for you www.hants.gov.uk/mediacentre Issued by: Suzie Southgate, Media Communications Officer, on 01962 847367