School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG)
A School Nutrition Action Group (SNAG) can be set up to look at all food provided in schools, take action to improve it and encourage healthy eating.
The SNAG should represent the entire school community, including pupils, teachers, catering and support staff, parents and also external agencies such as the school nurse, health promotion workers or dieticians.
It may not be practical for all schools to set up a SNAG and the pupil council could look at healthy eating as part of its work, with the involvement of parents and other partners as required.
Ideas and changes
The starting point for most SNAGs is to evaluate food already provided in the school, for example school dinners, the breakfast club, vending machines and drinking water. They can also ask the school community, including parents, for their ideas.
Ideas can be turned into an action plan, with small steps and targets are often the best way forward. Funding, marketing and sustainability of healthier food projects are important issues for the SNAG to make sure the whole school community knows about any changes and they are well-supported and more likely to succeed in the long term.
Your local health promotion department may be able to provide training and assistance to establish a SNAG in your school. Interested parents and other members of the school community should also be able to participate in this training.
Useful links
Health Education Trust SNAG pages
The Health Education Trust has dedicated SNAG pages with news of SNAG initiatives and successes from across the country.
Grab 5!
Grab 5! is a project for schools with ideas and practical activities to help promote fruit and vegetables. The website contains downloadable materials including how to set up a School Nutrition Action Group.
Fairtrade Foundation
The Fairtrade Foundation website has information on products, suppliers and resources to help encourage the purchase of Fairtrade goods. It includes a section on how to convert your school to Fairtrade including practical tools and guides.
