22.09.06
Cornish kids line up for fine dining

Are we feeding our children the best food we can? Whilst Jamie Oliver may be leading a national campaign on school dinners, Organic South West (OSW) are doing their bit locally by promoting 'Fine dining for kids' in Cornwall during the month of October and will also be taking an active part in the Cornwall Food Festival, Truro from Friday 29 September to Sunday 1 October.

Traci Lewis, OSW project manager explains: "During the food festival at Truro, we will be demonstrating healthy meal options for children using local organic seasonal produce and telling people which restaurants, pubs, hotels and cafes around the county are offering a special children's menu this month (October).

"It is vital that children are offered fresh, healthy and tasty menu options when eating out – not just the processed and deep fried variety!' continued Traci. 'We hope by supporting this initiative we will encourage more of Cornwall's wonderful cafés and restaurants to take up the challenge and offer kids a fine dining option too."

Exhibiting alongside Organic South West in the Heritage cooking area are a number of Cornish organic food and drink businesses.

Various caterers around Cornwall have promised to provide a special children's menu in October to give kids an opportunity to experience 'fine dining'. Restaurateur, chef and father of three, Nick Barclay of Barclay House, East Looe encourages his own children to enjoy real food and the whole experience of eating out in public: "Until very recently families were almost actively discouraged from eating out together, unlike our closest neighbours in Europe, but how can we expect our children to make healthy and informed choices about the food they eat if it's only fast food chains that make them feel welcome?

"The odd burger or packet of chips is ok once in a while but we all know that it isn't the best food for growing kids," said Nick. "I want my own children to celebrate the variety of food that we produce in this wonderful county and choose organic whenever I can. They have pretty strong opinions about food already so I consulted them when putting together our special menu and I'm looking forward to more children coming and enjoying both the food and the experience of eating out in nice surroundings with their family."

Nick is part of Looe Primary School's School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG) and the school itself has just achieved 'healthy school status'. "It's important to teach children what good food is from an early age," said Nick. "I'm delighted to be able to help and feel that things are changing for the better at last."

For a full list of participating caterers using organic food, please visit the Organic South West website: www.organicsouthwest.org or see: www.cornwallcelebrationoffood.co.uk for other places offering a 'fine dining for kids' during October.

For further information please contact Emma Parkin, PR and Media on 01392 490009 or email: em.parkin@blueyonder.co.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in Organic South West through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).

Anyone considering a new horticulture, food and land based industries project is advised to speak with Martin Butler, at Government Office South West 01752 635134 before commencing development as there are now only limited funds available due to the successful uptake of funding by the agricultural sector in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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