A long-term plan to improve the health of Pembrokeshire's schoolchildren has already achieved a number of its aims after just two years. Compiled by Pembrokeshire County Council working in partnership with the National Public Health Service and the Pembrokeshire and Derwen NHS Trust, the Food and Health strategy was launched with the aim of making 'every school a healthy school.' Such has been the success of the project that it is now being used as a template by other Welsh local authorities while it also satisfies a number of proposals contained in the forthcoming Welsh Assembly Government document 'Appetite for Life'. "I am pleased to say that because of this strategy we are well-ahead of the game here in Pembrokeshire" said the county council's cabinet member for children and young people, Clr. Islwyn Howells. "The proposals stated in 'Appetite for Life' have to be implemented in all Welsh primary schools by 2008 and in secondary schools by 2010 and we have already achieved many of them." Under the Food and Health strategy there has been an increase in the take-up of schools meals. Some of the many achievements include: • reduced fat, sugar and salt in primary school menus • cola and sugary fizzy drinks taken off counter sale in secondary schools • chocolate and crisps machines removed from all secondary schools • more freshly prepared foods and increase of salads and salad bars in schools • school menus devised in consultation with dietician • introduction of the character Lennie the Leek to promote healthy eating among primary school pupils. Said Lynne Perry, principal public health officer with the National Public Health Service: "School is a learning environment and therefore the food provided in schools should be healthy and balanced to link with what pupils are taught though the curriculum. "If we offer chocolate and crisps and other high fat foods, we are undermining what is being taught in the classroom. Our role is to educate children to make healthier choices and ensure those foods are available. "There are some proposals in 'Appetite for Life' that we know we have to do a little more work on, so we have developed an action plan to make sure we have everything in place."