Healthier School Lunches in Perthshire
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.
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.
Changing the school meal service in secondary schools is an exciting challenge. The changes which have been made are based on the same principles as the primary service, but we have to consider the differing expectations of teenagers. We have incorporated meal deals onto the menu and healthier drinks, snacks and homebaking are also available.
As with primary schools we have been consulting with pupils. As a result of their comments fresh food vending machines have been installed into four schools to help reduce queuing in dining rooms. The consultation and development process will continue.
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
