Scotand’s deputy first minister tried his hand at serving school meals on a visit to Inverness yesterday.
John Swinney MSP lent a hand at lunchtime at Central Primary to see firsthand how the new policy of offering free school meals for every P1-3 child was working.
And the cabinet secretary for finance said he had been impressed by the “vibrant atmosphere” at the school as he helped served the pupils their lunches.
Mr Swinney helped serve up vegetables to go with the choice of chicken fillet bites or beef or venison burgers available to the young diners.
As of this week, all P1-3 pupils are entitled to claim free school meals, equating to around 135,000 additional pupils across the country.
The Scottish Government is providing – following agreement with CoSLA – revenue funding of £70.5 million over two years to deliver the policy, supported by additional capital funding for local government of £24.8 million.
Mr Swinney praised his temporary colleagues in the Central Primary kitchen and the recently revamped cooking facilities.
He said: “It has been lovely to be in such a vibrant atmosphere in Central school.
“What I have seen here today is the delivery of high quality food to young people at the school and it is important that that is provided on a free of charge basis to P1-3 children as part of our wider work to strengthen the foundations of education for young people in our society.”
Derek Martin, head teacher of Central Primary School oversaw the third day of the school’s delivery of the scheme.
He said: “Following extensive refurbishment, we now have a cooking kitchen for the first time at Central. This has resulted in an increase in uptake of school lunches across the school.
“Feedback from pupils, parents and staff is very positive – with many appreciating the quality of locally produced food being cooked on the premises.
“Over the coming weeks, we expect this pattern to continue as P1-3 free meals are implemented – with some pupils trying school lunches for the first time.”