South Ayrshire Council is keen to make parents, carers and guardians aware of the value – both from the financial, and nutritional point of view – of the school meals that it provides for pupils.

A special section of the Council’s website has been created to provide full details of meals that are available … including the menus for primary schools.

The Council is keen to heighten awareness of the value to pupils of having school meals as it further implements recommendations from the Scottish Government.

Anyone who logs on to: www.south-ayrshire.gov.uk/schools/meals will be able to see for themselves the full list of day-by-day menus for primary children, and the prices of products available from the School Catering Services of the Council’s Environment and Infrastructure Department.

The Scottish Government set up an expert panel on school meals and this panel has drawn up the “HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS” document – with detailed recommendations and guidelines that ensure children will receive a nutritious, healthy, well-balanced school meal.

Said the Convener of South Ayrshire Council’s Lifelong Learning Committee, Councillor Alan Murray: “In South Ayrshire Primary and Special schools, new menus have been designed which have been nutritionally analysed to ensure that they provide the correct amount of nutrients - which are essential for a healthy diet.

“I am delighted that every effort is being made to ensure that parents are made fully aware of both the nutritional and the cost value of the meals that are available in our schools.”

Among the steps that have been taken by South Ayrshire Council to encourage more pupils to take school meals which cost just £1.50 for two courses:

• More fruit and vegetables are included with free fruit being provided 3 times per week to all children in Primary 1 and Primary 2.
• Portion sizes have been increased.
• Free bread is available for all pupils taking a school lunch.
• Carbonated drinks are not available in Primary, Special and Secondary schools – a wide range of fruit juices and waters are now in place.
• Chips are only available once per week in primary Schools and twice per week in Secondary Schools.
• Cashless Catering Systems (where pupils use a swipe card) are operational in all Secondary Schools.

The Council’s Catering Services are currently in the process of designing menus for Secondary schools. When ready, these will be added to the website.

Children of parents in receipt of income support are entitled to a free meal.

Information and application forms for free school meals may be obtained from schools, libraries, Council area offices and from the Department of Education, Culture and Lifelong Learning, County Buildings, Ayr.

September 2005