If you’re getting ready to prepare a festive feast for your family, spare a thought for East Lothian’s school catering staff who will serve over 8000 Christmas lunches this year.
Earlier this year East Lothian Council’s catering team picked up the Soil Association Scotland’s Bronze Food for Life Served Here Award for its commitment to serving freshly prepared, sustainable meals packed with local ingredients.
This is reflected in schools’ Christmas menus which will serve:
- 798kg of locally-grown potatoes
- 358kg of sprouts, grown in East Lothian
- 500kg of carrots
- 410 litres of gravy and
- 728kg of farm assured turkey.
Pupils in primary schools will also enjoy ice cream Christmas trees, with a selection of desserts available in secondary schools. School catering teams, including Yester Primary School's team, get into the festive spirit dress tables and wear festive clothing to make the occasion more memorable for the pupils.
Cabinet member for Education and Children’s Services, Councillor Shamin Akhtar, said: “The school Christmas lunch is a lovely occasion in the end of term calendar and much-enjoyed by pupils. And it’s important to ensure that we provide this for all our pupils in the run up to Christmas. Our school catering teams work closely with trusted local suppliers to make sure the meals we serve are good for the pupils and good for the local farming community too. I’d like to commend them for the efforts that they put into providing an award-winning service all year round, and the special efforts they make to supporting Christmas celebrations in our schools.”
Education Secretary John Swinney said: “Catering staff in East Lothian Council play a very important role in supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people at school and nursery, and are going the extra mile in serving 8255 Christmas dinners this season. Whilst school Christmas dinner is a special day in the calendar for schools and pupils, it’s just as important to recognise the hugely impressive logistical operation that goes into producing school meals for children and young people year-round. I’d like to extend my thanks and warm wishes to all catering staff for their continued commitment to providing balanced and nutritious food and drink in schools across the country.”
