Technology And Tradition Make The Tastiest Meals
| Published: 5th September 2008 16:09 |
New technology is set to ensure children in Somerset receive nutritious lunches from Somerset County Services (SCS), Somerset County Council's catering division.
A food analysis computer software package, Saffron Nutrition, will be used to produce menus for all SCS primary schools as of September to enable menus to be nutritionally analysed in accordance with the Government's nutrient-based standards and food-based standards for school meals. The package will also be made available to schools not currently serviced by SCS.
Saffron Nutrition software is the UK's leading nutritional analysis solution and will enable SCS to analyse menu plans through a database that can give detailed information regarding food composition and nutritional values. The software will be an essential aid in ensuring a balanced and varied nutritional menu for school children.
The software is being introduced to help achieve the Government's three-year plan to radically improve the quality of school meals. The final phase of the plan will take place in September 2009 when the Government's nutrient-based standards and food-based standards will be introduced into secondary schools.
Somerset County Councillor Sam Crabb, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Resources and Finance, said: "Somerset County Council's catering service provides over 7,000 school meals a day to pupils across Somerset. We are committed to providing healthy and nutritious meals and welcome the introduction of the nutrient based standards for schools. We have been working towards promoting healthier school lunches for many years."
Hugh Griffith, Head of SCS Business said: "The provision of a traditional hot school meal that is nutritionally balanced has always been a priority of SCS. The decades of experience of providing wholesome meals, combined with the new computer technology available to us will ensure that we not only continue to provide excellent meals, but also accurately adhere to the Government's nutrient-based standards."
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