WITH much coverage on the subject of school meals in recent months, I felt compelled to share some thoughts on the debate.

Firstly, and in relation to your story about the cook at Derwent School (Knives out! October 16), the actions of parents barracking the woman are deplorable and completely unacceptable.

This is a person doing a job with what she is given, no doubt to the best of her ability. We are told the meals are healthy and use fresh ingredients, so it is difficult to see where the problem is.

Parents should do the woman a favour and take up their gripe, if it is legitimate, with the head teacher or the council's education department.

Looking more broadly at the national picture of school meals, it is sad that parents resort to selfish complaints about school meals increasing by 15p a day, for example.

The evidence points to the fact that many schools have for years been churning out food that is not fit for consumption for those who are at a stage in life when a good diet is critical, not least for learning.

Those from poor families are quite correctly helped with the cost of school meals. For those who can afford them: if an extra £1 a week is too much for better meals then I suggest your priorities need to change.

Reports this week on obesity rates in Yorkshire and Humberside should focus the debate on healthy eating and its importance for youngsters.

I applaud Jamie Oliver for using his celebrity status to highlight the poor nature of school meals and for getting the issue on to the political agenda.

It appears, however, that there are still improvements which need to be made.

Nick Wharton, McHugh Court, Heslington, York.