WARTIME MENU - REFLECTS ON THE PAST

A special wartime menu will be available at Margaret Beaufort Middle School in Riseley, this Thursday 11th November, from 12.20pm - 1.20pm. A range of resources have been created to educate young people about what it was like to be at school in the 1940's and reflect on the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and of civilians in times of war.

On the day, approximately 160 students will enjoy the one-off menu, as their taste buds are transported to days gone by. The 'dinnertime with a difference' will also provide opportunity for students to pay tribute to Armistice Day.

Cllr David Sawyer, portfolio holder for Children's Services, at Bedford Borough Council, said: "The wartime menu is an imaginative way of encouraging young people to enjoy healthy food while sparking interest in a diet typically associated with the past. It's important that our children enjoy hot, healthy meals throughout the winter months. The council takes a partnership approach to ensuring that young people are fully aware of the importance of eating well, which serves to keep up their strength and give them the necessary energy to live their lives to the full."

The dinnertime event runs in unison with 'National School Meals Week' which takes place throughout 8th - 12th November. The week is set up to promote our carefully planned school meals that meet the government's nutritional standards.

Bedford Borough Council will be working in partnership with the Schools Dietetic Service and NHS Bedfordshire to ensure that schools across the borough will be taking part in activities to increase their education and exposure to healthy diets.

Carol Levrekus, NHS Bedfordshire School's Dietician, said: "The wholesome school meals we offer today are surprisingly similar to some of the war time menus.

"Both have been carefully planned to meet the population's needs for good health but today we have a wider availability of foods all year round and school children can also eat well from a wider choice of tasty colourful international dishes such as sweet and sour, curries, pizzas and wraps.

Children today do not need as many calories from their lunches as in the 1940s, when homes and schools were colder and there were few cars or TV's and no computers. So the dishes today contain less fat, sugar and also less salt."