Better meals on the menu for Perth and Kinross schools

Aug 29 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

RESISTANCE to new menus is partly to blame for the “poor level” of secondary school meal sales in Perth and Kinross, councillors have been told, writes Les Stewart.

And there are fears pupils could turn to sweets and fizzy drinks – and other less healthy foods – when further changes take place next August.

A meeting of the Tayside Contracts Joint Committee was told this week that there are “some continuing concerns” regarding the uptake of school meals.

In his report for the first quarter of 2008/2009, managing director Iain Waddell noted that primary sales in Perth were just under budget.

But he added: “The poor level of secondary meal sales continues, at almost six per cent below budget, which is in excess of four per cent below last year.

“This is concerning and must be due, in part, to resistance to the new menus.”

And that resistance is likely to continue, given that new legislation will impose further restrictions on the type and variety of popular drinks, snacks and home baked goods.

However, it has been delayed until August, 2009, to allow time for consultation with food manufacturers and pupils.

Mr Waddell warned: “The proposed changes, coupled with a reduction in the frequency of other popular items on the menus, continues to suggest that pupils resistant to the changes will access confectionery/carbonated drinks and other less healthy foods.”

Mr Waddell stressed: “If the service is promoted positively to pupils and parents on a ‘whole school approach’ basis, it is likely that they will continue to support the service.

“It is encouraging that, in the main, pupils are choosing healthy meals. Consequently, it is considered that the level of sales will gradually improve, although full recovery to previous levels may take up to three years.”