THIS week is National School Meals Week (NSMW) and schools in Bradford are being encouraged to get involved through fun activities, international theme days and meal promotions ideas.

NSMW is a national initiative designed to raise the awareness of great school food served daily by professional caterers in schools across England and Wales.

This year, the Lead Association for Catering in Education (LACA) conducted a poll to discover the nation's favourite school meal over the last twenty five years, with the most popular dish being curry. So as part of NSMW, schools across England and Wales have been asked to include the nation’s favourite school meal on their menu.

So with Bradford's outstanding reputation as a multi-time winner of Britain’s Curry Capital award, including six years in a row from 2011 to 2016, over 13,600 portions of curry will be served up at over 125 schools in the Bradford District during the week.

Another feature of National School Meals Week that has proved very popular over the years is the National Roast Dinner Day. Bradford school children have taken part in this for many years now, and this year, as well being able to enjoy this ever popular meal, school pupils can also add to the fun of the occasion by designing their own roast dinner or decorating their own chef’s hat.

Bradford has a unique heritage as it is where the world’s first organised school meals service began over 111 years ago. Campaigning and research in the city culminated in Green Lane Primary in Manningham being the very first school in the country to serve hot school dinners to its pupils. On 28 October 1907, 750 children enjoyed scotch barley broth, fruit tart, bread and a mug of water.

Our school catering staff have been real lunchtime heroes ever since, serving millions of hot, nutritious meals each year. During NSMW there is a thoroughly modern way to showcase their skills and dedication through the #cookeditmyselfie national competition.

#cookeditmyselfie is open to staff across England and Wales and is a simple way of showcasing the fabulous food that is being served on a daily basis in schools. Bradford’s wonderful school meals staff will be able to capture their superb culinary creations by simply taking a quick snap on their smartphone to share on social media. Awaiting the 2018 winner of #cookeditmyselfie is a prize of £500 of equipment and a trip to London to enjoy afternoon tea for two at the world famous Ritz Hotel.

Cllr Imran Khan, portfolio holder for education, employment and skills, said: “Studies have shown that school meals are more nutritious than most packed lunches and help children’s concentration in class; this can only be beneficial to their educational attainment. National School Meals week is a great way to encourage parents and children to take advantage of the great meals served up by catering staff across the district.”