Schools rewarded for healthy habits

All award winners

A number of primary schools in the borough of Rochdale have been commended for their commitment to providing healthier food options to their pupils.

Catering teams and head teachers from eight primary schools across Rochdale and staff from Rochdale town hall’s Clock Tower Dining Room were celebrated at a healthier catering awards ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall.

The teams celebrated at the event have achieved the top rating from the Greater Manchester Healthy Catering Awards. They all hold a level five food hygiene rating and have their school meals provided by Fresh Kitchen, Rochdale Borough Council’s school meals and internal service.

Fresh Kitchen provides schools with a range of food and drink that are lower in sugar, saturated fat, trans fats, and salt.

Richard Walthall, headteacher at Stansfield Hall Primary School, said: “This is only our second year of cooking school meals on site and I am delighted that the hard work of our team has been recognised. 

“The quality of the food is fantastic and the children and staff love the tasty and healthy menu which is on offer every day.”

The eight primary schools who received an award from the mayor, Councillor Billy Sheerin, were Whittaker Moss, St Vincent’s, St Peter’s Middleton, St John’s Thornham, St Edward’s, Stansfield Hall, Heybrook and Brownhill Learning Community, along with the Clock Tower Dining Room.

The schools join 30 others in Rochdale who have received the award over the past three years, meaning all Fresh Kitchen schools have now received the award.

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Ensuring children in Rochdale are healthy is a goal we all contribute towards and it’s brilliant to see our schools setting an excellent example.

“Congratulations to all schools who have been recognised with this award and I encourage others schools to look at our school meals offer, Fresh Kitchen, for their own school.”

The awards were originally set up to help catering businesses, including restaurants and schools, to provide healthier options in a bid to reduce levels of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and some cancers in Greater Manchester.

For more information about the Greater Manchester Healthier Catering Awards and how to join the scheme, visit:

• www.healthiercatering.co.uk