Bold Bean Co backs government’s call for pulses in school meals

Bold Bean Co founder Amelia Christie-Miller has backed government proposals to add pulses to school meals.

In a LinkedIn post, Christie-Miller pointed out that under current UK law, schools are required “to serve meat 3+ days a week”. Meanwhile, “there is zero requirement for a single bean, not even a chickpea”.

“Yet 96% of secondary kids don’t get enough fibre and one in 10 children start school already overweight,” the post continued.

Christie-Miller urged her network to contribute to the government’s consultation on updating the legislative framework for school foods standards before it closes on 12 June.

The framework proposes that at least one portion of pulses (not including baked beans) must be served alongside all menu options on one day a week to improve children’s fibre intake.

Other measures to increase fibre in school meals include switching to higher-fibre breads and ensuring that at least 50% of rice and pasta is wholewheat or brown.

Proposals also include ensuring all desserts are accompanied by, or contain, a portion of fruit, and that all main meal options, including grab and go, are served with at least one portion of vegetables or salad every day.

“If this passes, every main meal has to include pulses at least once a week,” wrote Christie-Miller.

“It may be as simple as mixing a can of beans into the spag bol recipe. We have the chance to create a generation of kids growing up thinking beans are normal,” the post continued.

When approached by The Grocer, Christie-Miller said: ”I think its mad we even have to push for something like this – beans should already be a fundamental part of school food guidelines!”

The government’s proposals were cautiously welcomed by the wholesale and education catering sectors when the consultation opened in April. Industry experts warned the move would bring challenges around funding, sector alignment and ensuring food appealed to children.