Free school meal for every Highland P1 pupil

To encourage the new intake of primary one pupils to eat healthy school lunches, The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Catering Service is repeating its offer of one free lunch voucher to every Primary 1 pupil in the region.

In 2007, over 2000 pupils received a “Highland School Meals Welcome Pack” to take home. Results showed that over 25% of pupils used their free meal voucher resulting in over 50% of all Primary 1 pupils taking a regular school lunch. This was a 20% increase in P1 pupils taking schools meals on 2006 figures.

This week around 1800 P1 Pupils will receive a Welcome Pack which includes:

• a free lunch voucher which can be redeemed for a 2 course meal including bread, fresh fruit juice or milk;

• sample menu;

• information about the nutritional content of school meals;

• a sticker incentive card to encourage pupils to continue taking school meals; and

• ‘pick a number finger snapper’, an educational game that promotes healthy fruit and vegetable choices.

Sharon Cameron, Highland Council’s Food Services Co-ordinator said: “School meals in Highland offer young people the opportunity to have a variety of freshly cooked and tasty meals at lunchtime which provide one third of their daily nutritional requirements. Our seasonal menus are healthy and nutritious and use fresh ingredients, sourced locally where possible.

“As part of the Scottish Governments drive to improve the health and social well being of children in Scotland, the Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act is now in place. One of the relevant duties imposed by the Act is that all food and drink provided in schools complies with nutritional requirements, as specified in regulations set by Scottish Ministers. The council comply with these requirements by sourcing ingredients which are lower in fat, salt and sugar and by providing a choice of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. As part of the Councils School Food, Nutrition and Health Policy, guidance is given to parents and carers of children who require special diets.

“Pupils are encouraged to sit down together with their friends and have an enjoyable lunch time experience. A well fed child is much more likely to have better concentration, an improved attention span, and be more alert in class.
What more could any parent or guardian want for their child?”

Councillor Fernie said: “I would urge parents and carers of all Highland pupils, not just primary ones, to take up school meals and join the 16,000 already enjoying them every day. Improving healthy eating is a key aim of the Council’s administration that we are committed to. Having healthy well-fed children will also help to raise levels of attainment in literacy and numeracy among our pupils.”

Families who receive income support, job seekers allowance, child tax credit or support under part IV of the Immigration and Asylum Act may be entitled to free school meals for their children.