Food Blogger, 9, Banned From Posting by Local Council, But Decision is Reversed
You go, baby blogger!
Martha Payne is an average 9-year-old schoolgirl from Scotland, but she became internationally known when her hit food blog NeverSeconds went viral and drew attention from notable food-world luminaries like Jamie Oliver.
Martha’s concept was simple- she photographed, posted and reviewed the daily school lunch offerings in her town of Argyll each day. And it seemed that her blog NeverSeconds did some good- after a few weeks, lunch offerings at her school changed when international scrutiny pressured local meal planners.
NeverSeconds proved enduringly interesting, a thought provoking daily snapshot of what we feed kids. And while it was clear the school was aware when changes were implemented after Martha’s blog became prominent, no move was made to quell the young blogger’s initiative for several months.
But last evening, the budding culinary critic had a sad update, reporting that she had been banned by her school from posting any further food pics- Martha explained:
“This morning in maths I got taken out of class by my head teacher and taken to her office. I was told that I could not take any more photos of my school dinners because of a headline in a newspaper today.”
Martha continued:
“I only write my blog not newspapers and I am sad I am no longer allowed to take photos. I will miss sharing and rating my school dinners and I’ll miss seeing the dinners you send me too. I don’t think I will be able to finish raising enough money for a kitchen for Mary’s Meals either.”
Aw! What a bunch of meanies! But it would appear that backlash was swift and strong, because by today, the decision was explained and rescinded.
It seems cafeteria workers feared losing their jobs due to the little muckraker over at NeverSeconds, but publicity got worse after news of Martha’s photography banhammer hit the web. Friday morning, the BBC reported that Argyll and Bute Council leader Roddy McCuish “instructed senior officials to lift the ban immediately.”
Have you been following NeverSeconds?
[Images: NeverSeconds]
