Many in Bradford 'have lost ability' to cook a healthy meal

The same meeting heard that some Bradford families send their children to school with unhealthy packed lunches – despite being eligible for free school meals.

This is because many children “don’t have healthy eating habits” and snub the healthier options provided by schools.

A strategy aimed at improving access to healthy food in the Bradford district was discussed at the most recent meeting of the Bradford and Airedale Health and Wellbeing Board, made up of representatives from Bradford Council, health groups, education providers and the emergency services.

The strategy includes a scheme to encourage Bradford’s takeaways to offer healthier menus, and measures to encourage more people to grow their own fruit and vegetables.

During Tuesday’s meeting, members agreed one of the biggest issues was overcoming a mindset where ordering a take away is the first option for many families.

And the ability to have food delivered at the click of a button meant many people have shifted away from preparing and cooking healthy meals.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive for Healthy People and Places at Bradford Council, said: “It is also about giving people the skills to cook. A lot of people have lost the ability to cook a good, nourishing meal from basic ingredients.

“A food bank in my ward hands out recipe cards as well as food, because even if you give people food, a lot of people won’t know how to cook a healthy meal.

Fast food (Image: Pixabay)

“There is probably a generation, or a generation and a half, who only know how to make food in the microwave or frying pan – or get a take away. It is important we give people information on how to eat health and cook healthy.”

Members were told that an aversion to balanced meals meant many children in Bradford were opting for their own packed lunches over school dinners – even if they were eligible for free school meals.

Marium Haque, Director of Children’s Servies at Bradford Council, said: “We have free school meals that are healthy and very nutritious. Unfortunately, some children who are eligible don’t have healthy eating habits.

“You get families of children eligible for these meals who send them to school with an unhealthy lunch.

“There are also families who are eligible for the meals who choose not to opt into the scheme. Schools see parents sending children in with unhealthy packed lunches.

“It is much more than getting families signed up to it – we have to change the perception of the meals.”

She said society was more “fast paced” than just a few years ago, and efforts to get people to eat healthier diets would have to adapt to these changes. She said: “People are used to getting everything at the touch of a button. That includes food. We can’t shift things back to where they were 10 years ago, but we do have to recognise this change, and adapt to it.”

Councillor Sue Duffy, Executive for Children and Families, said: “We do need to look at more plant-based food when we’re looking at healthy eating. I’m not saying we need to al be vegan, I need to be clear on that. But I know you can get chicken and chips for a few pounds, which is about as unhealthy as you can get.”

Members were given an update on the progress on the strategy. £12,000 worth of grants have been awarded to community groups to help people grow food. One group, Bradford 4 Better, used the money to help fund a community garden, while The Hive in Silsden received a grant towards creating an activity pod with raised planting beds.

A scheme to help schools “become advocates for good food” began earlier this month.

The meeting also heard that progress was being made in reducing obesity among the District’s children.

Latest figures show that 9.7 per cent of Bradford’s reception children (ages 4-5) are classed as obese –down from 11.4 per cent the previous year and lower than the Yorkshire and Humber average of 9.9 per cent.