Highland pupils vote for favourite school meal

The results of a Scottish pupil vote on favourite school meals will be announced during Scottish School Meals Week (8 – 12 November) which is run in secondary schools around Scotland.

The event, created by ASSIST (the organisation established to create and present a shared voice on all matters relating to Facilities Management throughout Scotland’s 32 local authorities) is aimed at promoting the quality, healthy food that is on offer across the Scotland’s secondary schools as well as the social interaction that comes with eating in a school dining area.

Over 250 schools, including Highland secondary schools will take part in Scottish School Meals Week.

For Scotland’s Favourite School Meal – pupils across the country have been asked to vote for the favourite meal on the Scottish School Meals website.
The winning dish will be announced on Monday 8 November and the dish will be served in all participating schools. Pupils can choose from Chicken Curry, Pizza, Steak pie, Fajitas, Fish and Chips, Chilli, Lasagne, Spaghetti Bolognaise and Pasta and Meatballs.

Adam Ingram, Minister for Children and Early years said: “This is an example of how innovation and partnership working can help to ensure that more children and young people develop an understanding of the important relationship between diet and health and well-being. 

“I am pleased that efforts are being taken to improve school meals uptake in a fun, inclusive way and one which highlights that school meal providers can work within the Scottish Government nutritional guidance to provide healthy food that pupils want to eat.  I am disappointed to be missing the ‘biggest pasta and meatball dish’ but wish everyone involved in the Scottish School Meals week the best of luck for a successful and enjoyable event.”

There has been a lot of media coverage on the drop in numbers that has occurred since the introduction of The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act in secondary schools in 2009. However, many local authorities are starting to reverse the trends with increasing numbers attending school meals.

In Highland, some primary schools are also taking part in Scottish School Meals Week and are inviting some special guests from their local community to come and have lunch with the pupils. The Primary Schools include:

Aldourie, Balloch, Banavie, Bishop Eden, Cradlehall, Croy, Daviot, Drakies, Dunbeath, Durness, Fort William RC, Glencoe, Golspie, Kiltearn, Knlochbervie, Kinlochewe, Kirkhill, Knockbreck, Kyle, Kyleakin, Lybster, MacDairmid, Melvich, North Kessock, Pultneytown, Reay, Resolis, Rosebank, Roy Bridge, South (Wick), Spean Bridge, Strathdearn, Tongue,  and Watten

Ken Campbell, Chair of ASSIST said:  “It is really important that we promote all the positive aspects of our school meals service. Every one of our member councils offers great value tasty food that is healthy and nutritious. We support the aims of the Health Promotion and Nutrition Act and we are determined to promote the benefits to all our customers. Scottish School Meals Week is all about coming together and having a good time in the school-dining hall. The Get Together logo sums it up perfectly. Get together with your friends and enjoy great food!”