Highland Council’s Food in Schools project to survey pupils, parents, teachers and staff with the aim of an annual menu update for the 18,000 lunches served everyday
The Highland Council’s ‘Food in Schools’ project has launched a range of surveys to better understand the various components of food provision in schools.
It is a part of the council’s delivery plan and it emerged from the redesign board that aims to reform and improve the local authority’s services.
Currently 18,000 lunches are served everyday in 173 primaries and 29 secondaries with the council moving towards an annual menu to be updated annually from 2026.
The surveys aim to better understand the various components of food provision in school settings and will be issued by head teachers for the Food in Schools team.
All current pupils from P1 to S6 as well as parents and carers, teachers and non-teaching staff like pupil support assistants will be invited to respond.
School catering staff and councillors will also be asked to complete surveys to enable the project team to gather feedback and data for the Redesign Board.
The focus will be on the take-up of school meals, including free meals, our current operating model and learning from best practice, and reducing the cost of food by reducing the amount of waste.
Council Convener Bill Lobban said: “Food in Schools is a wide ranging project that cuts across several Council policy areas and services such as waste and recycling as well as school catering.
“The redesign board is fully supportive of the Food in Schools project which is a key part of the Council’s Delivery Plan, and we look forward to reviewing the findings and data from the surveys.”
Education committee chairman, Cllr John Finlayson added: “The council is striving towards improving Food in Schools to help support pupils’ health and wellbeing but to also improve the take up of the food offering provided in schools and to reduce food waste.
“We continue to consult with pupils and staff to improve the food choices and recipes available.
“Food waste in our schools is a key area where we could see greater efficiencies as well as environmental benefits. I encourage our young people and families to support the ‘Food in Schools’ project by completing the surveys that will help shape positive changes.”
