Primary School Meals
We know the eating habits of Scottish children affect their
immediate and long term health. As a result the Scottish
Government has set Scottish Nutrient Standards for school lunches
which are now in place in all primary and secondary schools in
Perth & Kinross. This means that parents can be assured
their child can have a nutritionally balanced meal at school.
Education & Children's Services in partnership with their
catering service provider, Tayside Contracts have developed a
school meal menu for primary schools which offers healthier
choices such as salad bars, fruit, milk, fruit juices
and bread on a daily basis. Home-made dishes which have
been carefully developed to ensure the fat, sugar and salt content
is not excessive have replaced the majority of processed food
choices. A vegetarian option is also available in all
schools.
New or unfamiliar items on the menu can discourage children from
staying for a school lunch. When a new menu commences pupils
can try new dishes. As new menus are developed pupils are
also included on tasting panels which helps to ensure the choices
on the menu are 'child friendly'. Menus change in April and
October of each year. Have a look at
Menu Week 1,
Menu Week 2 and
Menu Week 3.
We have an ongoing consultation programme with pupils to find
out what they think about the school meals. This information
is used to help develop menus and the service.
The service in primary schools continues to be developed, for
example, a number of schools have set up healthier eating
tuckshops, and many have reviewed lunch time to make it a more
enjoyable experience for pupils.
Free Fruit
Establishing healthier eating habits at an early
age is activity Perth & Kinross Council actively support.
As part of such an approach we provide free fruit to all Primary
years 1 and 2 (and any P2
composite classes) three times per week during the school
term. This service has been provided since 2003 and really
does influence children to continue the fruit habit in later years,
often replacing the more traditional unhealthy play piece!
It is recommended that everyone should eat five portions of fruit
and vegetables each day and for children one portion is roughly
what can fit in their hand, for example a handful of grapes, an
apple or an orange.
At home parents and carers can support their children by
reinforcing the positive healthy eating messages of eating 5-a-day
by ensuring that fruit and vegetables are given as snacks, in
packed lunches and as part of meals served at home.
For further healthy eating advice for children you may wish to link
to the eatwell website at http://www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/children/
If you have any comments or suggestions for improvement regarding
the school meals service please contact us at:
E-mail: ecscateringsupport@pkc.gov.uk.
Tel: 01738 476341
