School Meals

Aberdeenshire Council School Meals Service is Catering TODAY for a Healthy Future

Aberdeenshire Primary school meals and menus are the culmination of work that involves comprehensive recipe and menu planning.

School Meals in Scotland are hailed as "light years ahead" of the rest of the UK by many including celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver and Aberdeenshire Council has established changes in recent years making school meals excellent value for money.

Pupils receive a copy of the menus and additional information in an attractive leaflet to take home. This gives parents the opportunity to discuss and plan menu choices with their child/ren in advance. This is particularly helpful where Vegetarian preferences are involved.

Menus are nutritionally balanced so that a complete meal provides one-third of a child’s daily nutrient requirements

A planning group consisting of Area Catering Supervisors, Catering Trainers, a Paediatric Community Dietician and School Cooks work to devise menus that meet nutritional requirements set out in the Scottish Government's Schools (Health Promotion & Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007.

Menus reflect National recommendations for changes to diet that include:

• Increased emphasis on fruit and vegetables
• Reduction in total fat and saturated fat
• Reduction in sugar and sugar based items
• Inclusion of oily fish
• Reduction in salt content

Some very good reasons for taking a School Meal -

• It is prepared fresh daily by trained staff many of whom are also parents
• It is attractive, convenient, of good quality and offers variety and a daily choice
• The Sandwich Tray saves parents the task of making a pack lunch
• It is a balanced meal providing 1/3 of a child’s daily nutrient needs

In addition to a Main course other important features include -

• Freshly made Soup is available at least once a week
• Baked Potatoes with filling feature daily as a menu choice
• At least one Vegetarian option is available daily
• A selection of breads are included as part of a lunch meal
• Salads & Vegetables of the Day
• Fresh Fruit is always available as a Pudding option