Parents are celebrating a victory in their bid to improve the quality of primary school meals in the Stewartry.
A working group of parents and carers was created in a bid to push for locally sourced fresh food in order to minimise food miles, reduce carbon footprints and support local farmers while nourishing young people.
One of the concerns was the use of powdered milk in macaroni cheese – a practice which has now stopped.
A range of healthier, less processed options is now also available as well as fruit, salads, milk and water.
The working group was set up by Sara Barbour from Auchengibbert Farm near Crocketford with support from local councillor Pauline Drysdale.
Mrs Barbour said: “We contacted Councillor Drysdale to ask her to help us, as a group, approach the relevant council officers regarding various concerns we had regarding school lunches in primary schools across the Stewartry.
“We wanted to ask why powdered milk was used in macaroni cheese, what produce was sourced locally and to investigate the quality of the fresh meat as well as gain a better understanding as to the procurement process.
“She, like us, wishes to ensure that all children across the region receive the maximum benefits from the menu on offer and that, where possible, ingredients are sourced locally, ideally within the region thus protecting jobs and sustainability going forward.”
Councillor Drysdale added: “It was an interesting process and we were extremely grateful to Carol Broll and her team from facilities services catering for agreeing to meet with us online in order to further understand the reasons behind the menu plans and the procurement process.
“Since our meeting we are delighted to report that fresh milk is now being utilised once again in the macaroni dish, instead of powdered options.
“There is now also a quality assurance system in place to report the quality of all produce within each school and the teams are systematically working through new processes to reduce packaging and waste both internally and externally.
“The procurement process on Public Tenders Scotland will also become more transparent in order that local companies may tender if they so wish.”
Although happy with the progress made so far, they plan to push the council on the matter if they feel meal standards don’t meet the needs of children.
