Schools rewarded for healthy habits

The Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Zaman, with all winners on the town hall steps.jpg

Primary schools in the borough were commended for their commitment to providing healthier food options for pupils at a ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall on Wednesday.

Ten primary schools - Our Lady & St Paul’s, Castleton, Norden, Holy Family, Sandbrook, All Saints, Littleborough, Middleton Parish, Milnrow Parish, and Broadfield - received healthier catering awards from Mayor Mohammed Zaman .

The schools have achieved the top rating for their school meals catering from the Greater Manchester Healthy Catering Awards. They also actively promote healthier options to children, and hold a level five food hygiene rating.

The award certifies that the schools are leading the way in offering a range of food and drink to their pupils that are lower in sugar, saturated fat, trans fats, and salt.

The schools join 20 other schools in Rochdale who have received the award over the past two years.

Linda Cotton, headteacher at Norden Primary, said: “We have a wonderful team of cooks in our school kitchen who work incredibly hard to provide a brilliant service for our children at lunchtimes. This award reflects their dedication in providing us with a delicious, healthy menu which the children and staff all love.”

Councillor Sara Rowbotham, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “Ensuring children in Rochdale are healthy is a goal we all contribute towards and it’s brilliant to see our schools setting an excellent example.

“Congratulations to all schools who have been recognised with this award and I encourage others schools to strive towards achieve this in the future.”

The awards were originally set up to help catering businesses, including restaurants, pubs, takeaways, cafes, shops and schools, provide healthier options in a bid to reduce levels of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and some cancers in Greater Manchester.