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Youngsters join university for a ‘pizza’ healthy action

School children from the Leamington area were given a ‘pizza’ healthy advice when they studied for a special food course at Warwickshire’s Children’s University.

Warwickshire’s County Caterers are passing on their nutritional knowledge and culinary skills to children and their parents or carers in the special six-week class called “Snack Attack”.

The healthy eating class, which is taught in partnership with the Brunswick Health Living Centre, is a special module for Warwickshire’s Children’s University. 

Young cooks from schools including Sydenham Primary, Clapham Terrace Community Primary, Bishop’s Tachbrook Primary and Campion School have been taking part in the class. The course involves food hygiene, the wheel of good health (which involves balancing ingredients from the main food groups) and finally the preparation of a meal to take home and enjoy.

On Monday the class made pizzas with wholemeal dough and healthy toppings, in addition to a fresh salad. The class has already prepared a range of healthy treats including flapjacks, fruit salads and vegetable crudités.

Warwickshire’s County Caterers are teaching the “Snack Attack” course as part of their ongoing work to provide, and generate interest in, healthy balanced meals.

County Caterers, which is part of the county council, introduced balanced school meals ahead of Government requirements and has seen a 30% rise in primary school meals since the start of the academic year.

Course teacher Rachel Brook, of Warwickshire County Council, said: “This is a fun way for children and parents to learn about a healthy balanced diet together. Participants don’t only go home with a freshly prepared meal to enjoy - they also leave with valuable nutritional knowledge.”

Tracey Neumann, manager of the Brunswick Healthy Living Centre said: “We are pleased to have the opportunity to offer a healthy eating module as it ties in with our purpose of encouraging the local community to consider positive lifestyle choices.”

The “Snack Attack” class is a six-week module for Warwickshire’s Children’s University in which pupils build up credits through their learning after school and in the holidays. The Children’s University is run by Warwickshire County Council’s Extended Learning Department as part of its commitment to enhance lifelong learning and boost self-esteem.

More general information about school meals, follow the link below.