Vote Is On To Find Britain's Most Popular School Meal

As children are heading back to school the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA) wants to find out which is Britain's most popular school meal. Parents and pupils are invited to go to www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk/vote/ and vote for their favourite main course and dessert. The winning meal will be announced on Monday 9th November at the start of National School Meals Week (NSMW) 2009.

NSMW has been organised by LACA since 1993. The week promotes healthy school meals in England, Scotland and Wales and encourages pupils and students to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This year it is an online promotion using digital marketing tools like user generated content and social networking. During the week there will be online features and competitions plus local events. Already nearly 60 local authorities have signed up.

Beverley Baker, Chair of LACA, said, "School meals have changed in recent years and from this September they must all comply with strict Nutritional Standards laid down by the Government. There is now a much greater variety of food and that is why we would like to find Britain's favourite. Is it the more traditional roast meal or perhaps a Chicken wrap? And will it be rice pudding or a fruit smoothie? There are twelve main courses and desserts that voters can select from and these were chosen by a sample of 20 authorities from across the country. Already several hundred people have voted but we would love to see a lot more as we want to find out if there are regional variations".

The voice of National School Meals Week will be Colin Jackson, former World Champion in the 110 metres hurdles, BBC Sports Commentator on athletics and a competitor in last year's Strictly Come Dancing.