Health organisation hits out at plan for fast food in schools
By Cathy Cooper
A deal that could see Burger King and KFC outlets opening in schools has been condemned by the National Heart Forum, which says that children's health could be damaged.
The agreement, between Lewisham Council in London and contract caterer Chartwells, is the first local authority catering contract under the private finance initiative (PFI). Chartwells, a subsidiary of the Compass Group, will run school lunches, meals on wheels, day centre refreshments and the council's staff canteen.
Chartwells has linked up with investment bank Guinness Mahon, which is pumping £4.2m into new catering equipment and staff re-training.
Chartwells has won the agreement of head-teachers to introduce big names from its portfolio, such as KFC and Taco Bell, to school cafeterias.
Mike Sparrow, deputy managing director at Chartwells, said the outlets would be among a range of options which included nutritious food.
"Granary and wholemeal bread, if it's presented the way it is on the high street, is just as attractive as fried chicken or pizza," he said.
But Imogen Sharp, director of the National Heart Forum, said: "What we have seen in the past is that healthy food is sidelined at school. It clearly sticks out as the least interesting choice to teenagers."
She added: "The food they're proposing is not healthy. Itis fried and coated in batter. We don't want to see itin schools. Pupils can go to KFC, if they want to, at the weekend."
But a council spokesperson said: "KFC and Taco Bell are one of several names that Chartwells owns. The next step is for Chartwells to consult with schools on what kind of food service they want. No school will be forced to take a service it doesn't want."
Regulations preventing council chiefs operating PFIs, already widespread in the health service, have only recently been lifted. Sparrow said the deal with Lewisham Council would be replicated around the country. Chartwells is also among a consortium of firms bidding to build five new schools and run all the support services in Falkirk (Caterer, 5 March, page 11).
