A pupil campaign to “Save our Puddings” in Aberdeenshire has been victorious – with council chiefs promising desserts for all.
Earlier this year, Aberdeenshire Council cut many of its sweet options on health grounds.
The move sparked outrage among pupils, who launched a campaign to bring back ice cream and custard.
The crunch issue was debated today in council chambers – and student leaders were told that they can expect some low-sugar desserts to make a comeback soon.
William Dibb, 11, addressed the Aberdeenshire Council education and children’s services committee Thursday morning.
William delivered an eloquent request to put puddings back on school menus.
“After losing touch with our friends, our schools and our freedoms, we were now to lose our puddings too.”
– William Dibb, 11
When the cuts were made in the Spring, petitioners called the move a “very strict interpretation” of new government nutritional guidelines.
William impressed the councillors with his confidence and depth of research on the topic.
His reward was a promise from catering officials that new recipes of low-sugar desserts will be back on the menu in October.
‘Save the puddings’
In his address to the council, William said that, although he has now started S1 at the Gordon Schools, he is still furthering the interests of his primary colleagues.
“In the Spring, my class was very disappointed when we found out that our primary school menus would be changed to remove custard, ice creams and many of the baked treats which we enjoy to eat after our lunches.”
“We were told that this was due to the food and drink in schools regulations issued by the Scottish Government.”
William said that the new changes struck a chord with his classmates. They found out about the menu changes immediately after returning from a difficult lockdown period.
“Let us all have a healthy and balanced menu which we can all enjoy. Please?”
-William Dibb, 11
With a host of new Covid-19 precautions and rules to follow, the loss of the simple pleasure of desserts was more difficult.
“After losing touch with our friends, our schools and our freedoms, we were now to lose our puddings too.”
A healthy, balanced menu – please!
While he understands the council needs to comply with regulations to reduce sugar, William said that there should be room for a compromise.
“Everything should be in moderation. Burgers with salad. Hot dogs with cucumber. Fruit with ice cream.
“Let us all have a healthy and balanced menu which we can all enjoy. Please?”
Councillors wowed by ‘eloquent, compelling’ pupils
William, fellow campaigner Angus Beverly and their classmates gathered almost 850 signatures from pupils and staff.
He presented the council with information on what desserts are available in other council areas, where sugar cutbacks were not so severe.
Director of education and children’s services Laurence Findlay thanked William for a “confident, eloquent and compelling” presentation and offered good news.
I am glad to say that we will be putting custard back on the menu in our October menus.
-Catering Officer Ian Paterson
Mr Findlay reported that the council will release a full report on the catering services in October. Catering officer Ian Paterson said that he appreciated the pupil feedback. He also provided some background on why the menus changed in the first place.
“The average consumption for pupils at the moment should be 24g of sugar, which is equivalent to five cubes of sugar.
“The actual consumption is 13 sugar cubes, which is 65g of sugar. That’s why the changes had to be made.”
‘Save the puddings’ sparks action
“But we have been working behind the scenes,” Mr Paterson added, giving hope to the petitioners.
“We couldn’t just go with reduced sugar options, we had to make sure that they were trialled so we didn’t lose the quality that we had.”
The result: a new spread of low-sugar dessert options. Mr Paterson said the campaign to save the puddings was the driving force for the change.
“Mainly because of this petition, we looked at that point specifically. I am glad to say that we will be putting custard back on the menu in our October menus.
“That is a good and positive outcome.”