Two mothers who have become increasingly concerned about the impact of food on children's health are working to raise awareness of the importance of healthy eating at their local school. Frances Schofield and Tina Wells, from Wheatley near Oxford, are working with children, parents, teachers and kitchen staff in the hope of creating a movement for change in the community more widely. It is timed to coincide with Food Awareness Week (12-19 June), an initiative that has been an annual event in schools for some years in part of England, and has been successful in enthusing children and parents about the importance of a healthy diet.
An exhibition at the school, Wheatley Church of England Primary School, incorporates information from a variety of sources – children themselves have been involved in putting together part of the exhibition, and there is information available for parents on nutrition, such as the sugar contents in various foods. However, the exhibition is not just about dissuading people from eating foods that are high in fat and sugar – there are also free recipe ideas and vegetable seeds, to actively encourage an interest in the growing and cooking of healthy foods. There will also be exhibition tables that have been put together by local health food organisations and the school kitchen.
In the longer term, Frances and Tina hope to continue the campaign, and inspire parents to believe in their ability to foster positive change. They will be spearheading efforts to encourage local shops to create areas that are aimed wholly at children – and wholly stocked with healthy foods.
