Yet again another article in the press warning about the poor quality of school meals ('Coping with the fat of the land', February 12).

The company I work for (DOLCE) insist that our menus contain plenty of healthy eating items such as rice, pasta vegetables etc. Our good quality fresh meat and vegetables are delivered to us by local suppliers.

The problem lies in the children's personal choices. I have tried many ways to encourage healthy eating but I feel the problem starts at home.

It should be the parents' responsibility to encourage their child to eat healthily and my responsibility to provide the right food.

Most children prefer junk food. If we didn't provide some of this then children would go hungry.

The Press should be fair to school meal providers.

The good food is there.

Shirley Hartridge,

Services manager,

Tang Hall Primary School,

Alcuin Avenue,

York.

Updated: 11:42 Tuesday, February 17, 2004