SSP go bananas for free school meals

Glenrothes & Levenmouth Scottish Socialist Party Press Release - Monday 18th April 2005

Customers at a McDonalds Drive-Thru in Glenrothes were treated to fast food of a different sort yesterday. Before they tucked into their diet-unfriendly burgers, they were offered fresh fruit by local Scottish Socialist candidate Morag Balfour.

The event was designed to highlight the SSP's campaign for universal free school meals, but also to address the myth that children will not eat healthy food.

Morag Balfour and Dave Nicholson outside McDonalds in Glenrothes

Morag Balfour said:
"The response we got from young people and their parents was very encouraging. The massive support for free school meals is because of growing awareness of diet-related heart disease. Action now will dramatically improve the future health of the population.

"The recent Jamie Oliver television series demonstrated that imposing nutritional standards is completely achievable, but it's not just about nutrition."

Ms Balfour also condemned the siting of fast food restaurants beside schools, and the pressure media adverts put on the young:

"More and more fast food restaurants are near schools, such as Auchmuty High School just across the road from this one. To make matters worse, children's television is a key target for junk food advertising. There seems to be no getting away from it."

The issue of school meals is devolved to the Scottish Parliament, but the SSP has placed it high on its agenda for the Westminster election.

Morag Balfour explained:
"Many youngsters from low-income families do not qualify for free school meals. Those that do often refuse to take them because of the stigma that results. This is an issue that goes beyond the devolved boundaries of Holyrood to the heart of the benefit system. It has got to change."
*ENDS*

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