School canteen operators felicitated

by Mohammed NAALIR

The Sri Lanka Food Processors Association (SLFPA) felicitated school canteen operators who successfully implemented the clean dining concept of the Association and for keeping the environment clean.

Awards were made under three categories viz mini, medium and large scale canteens. Under the mini scale category St.Joseph's College, Maradana won first prize. Under this category only one award was granted.

Medium scale winners were D.S. Senanayake Vidyalaya with Holy Family Convent and Gothami Balika Vidyalaya being placed second and third respectively.

SLFPA project Director Sunanda Weerasinghe requested the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) Medical Division Chief Dr. Pradeep Kariyawasam to urge to sell rice based foods at least even 80 percent to students in school canteens.

The Cleaner Dining Program (CDP) was launched by the SLFPA four years back mainly to focus on the hotels in Colombo city. Following its success the program was expanded to schools in Colombo city.

Weerasinghe said that executive committee members visited 30 schools in the Colombo city. The public health department of CMC and Unilever also helped to successfully implement this program.

She said that the SPFPA held two workshops targeting the school canteens on how to prepare healthy food utilising rice flour and how to maintain a hygienic environment in the kitchen. Harischandra Mills' Chief Chef Dr. Nawaratne demonstrated how to prepare a 100 per cent rice based cup cake.