Scotland’s school dinner system has been praised as “light years ahead” of the rest of the UK by the naked chef, Jamie Oliver.

He said Scotland had recognised the need for fresh, locally produced food in the school meal.

He said the Hungry For Success scheme, launched last year by the Scottish Executive, sets an example to authorities in England.

The chef, currently starring in Jamie’s School Dinners, said England needs dinner ladies with the same passion for fresh food to follow Scotland’s lead.

Speaking to BBC Radio Four’s the Food Programme, Oliver hailed the Scottish £63.5m scheme as “revolutionary”.

In June last year, Scottish ministers urged councils to make sure foods such as chips and garlic bread are offered just twice a week. Meanwhile, they also recommended that two portions of fruit and vegetables per day should be included on the school dinner menu.

Oliver’s television series is based on the same principles as the Scottish project, aimings to ditch the ready-made junk food which has been served up to schoolchildren and replace it with fresh food prepared in the kitchen.

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