Ceredigion County Council is delighted to be one of four Welsh Local Education Authorities undertaking a two year action research project into school meals. The focus will be on development and testing the guidelines of the proposed foods and their nutritional standards.

Ysgol Gyfun Aberaeron and Aberaeron Community Primary School are the two schools selected as part of the Action Research Project. On Friday, the research project was firmly launched with ‘Alwyn Afal’, Ceredigion’s school meals official mascot helping the celebrations.

The Welsh Assembly Government has introduced this research project called "Appetite for Life" which sets nutritional standards for school lunches. To test these standards, WAG is implementing a two year action research programme involving four Local Education Authorities. Lessons learnt from this project will be used to inform wider application across all maintained schools in Wales.

Elonwy James, Catering Services Officer for Ceredigion County Council commented: ‘ In Ceredigion we are way ahead of the majority of Welsh LEAs in that our menus are well balanced, nutritious and prepared from fresh ingredients, sourced locally as far as possible. We take pride in our service and ensure that catering staff are well trained, not only in cooking skills but also in hygiene and nutrition.’ She added: ‘ It has been recognised that a balanced diet is essential for our children and young people if they are to develop and grow into healthy adults. Eating the right food and getting enough physical activity are important to keep fit and healthy.’ Over the next two years the research team will be visiting the school to record the views of the pupils and see what improvements have been achieved.