A very exciting time ahead

Date: 1/7/2010

It is almost here. In just a few days time it will be the LACA AGM and Conference at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. And before that, on Monday 5th July, it is the Catey Awards Dinner in the Great Room at the Grosvenor House Hotel. LACA has been shortlisted for the Best Use of Technology Catey for National School Meals Week 2010. I will be on tenterhooks waiting to hear the news. Win or lose it is still a fantastic achievement for LACA and my thanks again must go to everyone that made it the biggest and best week yet.

National School Meals Week 2010 makes a big step forward this week with the launch of the website at www.iloveschoolmeals.co.uk on Wednesday 7th just before the AGM at 3.45pm. Karen and Arnold Fewell will tell everyone what is planned for each day and how we have listened to your feedback to make the week even better. There are more downloads, the daily themes work in both Primary and Secondary Schools and there is even more fun. Also I am delighted that Mars Foodservice will support the launch day and they are making available 1,000 free jars of their pasta sauce plus 10,000 vouchers for £2 off a jar. Even Papa Dolmio will be going to the launch in the London Borough of Havering on 8th November. I must thank Gerry Clinton for offering to host this day.

Then it is on to the conference and exhibition. There is an excellent programme and I will enjoy the lively debate under our new host Dr David Bull. It will be an exciting evening on the 8th when the LACA Awards will be announced and you can see all those shortlisted on the LACA website. While you are there please ensure you go to the LACA stand and sign the School Meals Matter campaign letter. We need every signature so we can show central Government how important it is to continue the investment made in school meals and not undo all the hard work that has gone in over the last five years.

If anyone fancies a chat about NSMW then please have a word with me at the conference. See you there.