Parents in the Highlands are being urged to make the most of the fresh, healthy school meals on offer to their children as the scheme is commended with a national award.
Highland council has been awarded the Soil Association Scotland’s Silver and Bronze Food for Life Served Here award in its primary schools and nurseries for the ninth year running.
A total of 10,740 pupils a day are served in 161 primary schools and nurseries across the Highlands, the largest council area across the country.
Sue Nield, Catering Services Manager with Highland Council, said, “We have always been a passionate team and we care about where our ingredients come from. The council has long supported local food and farmers markets and promoted supply opportunities to local suppliers. Everything we do is geared towards ensuring that children get fresh, local meat and vegetables which are traceable”.
Silver awards were certified to schools and nurseries in Cradlehall, Drakies, Holm, Lochaline, Rosebank and Smithton; meanwhile others were presented with a bronze award.
Aoife Behan, Head of Food at Soil Association Scotland, said: “Huge congratulations to Highland Council on this fantastic achievement. Renewing their Food for Life Served Here award for the ninth year running is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, from the catering staff to the Councillors”.
Chair of the Highland Council’s Care, Learning and Housing Committee Councillor Andrew Baxter added his congratulations.
He said: “I would like to acknowledge the excellent work our catering staff do and thank them for their hard work and dedication. I would also like to thank our teaching staff for all their work in promoting to their pupils the many benefits of eating healthy foods.
“As a parent with two primary school children I have always been a huge fan of the excellent meals that our catering service provides in our schools. The quality food they serve is carefully planned to provide the best possible nutrition”.
