Organizations Come Together to Combat Healthy Eating Problems in Care Homes for Children

02 Feb 2016 --- Children’s Food Trust, The Fostering Network and the National Assertion of Care Catering are coming together for the partnership, which aims to combat the healthy eating problems of children in care.

In particular, the partnership will focus on building the skills need to choose and prepare healthy food.

Cared-for children are prone to having diets high in sugar, salt and saturated fat and low in vegetables and fruit.

Added to this, they may face other obstacles to healthy eating such a neglect or they are from a background where food preparation was unimportant.

Central to the partnership will be exploring the support currently given to foster carers and staff in residential homes on helping children in care to eat healthily.

Children’s Food Trust chief executive Linda Cregan said: “We’ve been working with carers for a while now, developing their skills to get children in care cooking, but that’s only one part of a child’s food journey. We look forward to exploring the wider issues for the nutrition of children in care and what more we can do together to help every child eat well.”

Kevin Williams, Chief Executive of The Fostering Network said: “The Fostering Network is passionate about helping fostered young people to flourish. We know that eating well is a vital element for children’s development, wellbeing, educational outcomes and so on. That’s why we’re so excited to be working in partnership with The Children’s Food Trust and the National Association of Care Catering to support foster carers as they take a lead on the nutrition of the children they are caring for.”

Neel Radia, Chair of the National Association of Care Catering said: “In the public domain, there is a lot of information and emphasis on the value of quality, nutritious food provision for the elderly in care environments.  There is, however, very little focus on children in care.  The National Association of Care Catering recognises and promotes the importance of good nutritional care for all age groups, including children, and we are therefore very excited about this partnership.”