By Sasha Glasgow

School meals look set to be transformed, as the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Famillies announced that the School Food Trust is to receive £21m in funding over the next three years.

The funding will support the drive to increase the take up of school meals and heighten the quality of school food.

Ed Balls also announced a further £2m capital investment to the FEAST Network of training centres for the school food workforce. The money will be invested into new training facilities to equip staff with the skills to produce new, healthier meals.

Speaking at the launch of the FEAST network at Thames Valley Univeristy, Mr Balls said: 'improving the quality of school meals, education about healthy eating and teaching children to cook is one of my passions.

 'There are no quick, overnight solutions to improving the way we eat as a nation. I make no apology for introducing tough nutritional standards for school food - there is nothing more important that our children's well-being. I want every young person to be able to make informed choices about healthy eating and the rest of their lives.'