School Meals Service

Aberdeenshire Council’s own Catering Services provides lunchtime meals and other food features to pupils in all:

• Primary
• Secondary
• Special schools

 

 

 

 

 

School Meals Service Welcomes Your Help with our Customer Satisfaction Survey

Primary School Pupils and their Parents are invited to take part in helping us with making continuous improvements to school meals in Aberdeenshire Primary Schools. The Winter 2009/10 edition of school menu leaflets made available to the families of Primary School Children includes a survey in the centre section. Please remove the survey, complete and return it to the School kitchen by 30th November 2010.

Alternatively, you may wish to take 10 minutes or so to complete the survey on-line before the end of November:

Fill in our School Meals Survey

Information

• A School Meals Service HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS
• School Catering Business Plan 2006 - 2011
• Free School Meals
• Vending and Tuck Shops
• Medically Prescribed and Special Diets

Our Aim

Aberdeenshire Council supports and encourages healthier eating in order to give every school child the best start in life. We recognise that the eating habits formed in early childhood help to shape future behaviour and that educating children on the value of a balanced diet has life-long benefits. Our service will also encourage pupils to enjoy food through the social experience of having a school meal with their classmates.

Our Commitment

• To ensure all school meals meet the required nutritional standards set down by the Scottish Government.
• To provide attractive meals of good quality offering variety and a daily choice
• To participate in the ‘Whole School Approach to School Meals’ to encourage positive change through partnership working as recommended by the HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS initiative.

Social Experience

We believe that School Meals are an important part of the school day, and should be a social and relaxing experience, where your children can taste and enjoy a variety of both familiar and new foods.

Major factors affecting this experience include

• Queuing
• Seating
• Timing
• Décor
• Furniture
• Service Points

It is recognised that these factors can have an effect on the enjoyment of the ‘Lunchtime Experience’ within the school dining room. Schools are being asked to consider these factors in relation to the school day.

 

School Catering Business Plan 2006 - 2011

The School Catering Service has prepared a plan to set the direction in which it aims to progress over the next five years. It will give staff and others with an interest in the service an understanding of the purpose and the environment in which it operates.

• School Catering Business Plan 2006 - 2011 (pdf 833 kb)

 

 

Medically Prescribed Diets

Aberdeenshire Council has issued guidelines to all Schools to support children with Medically Prescribed Dietary requirements. For further information about how the School Meals Service can meet the dietary needs of pupils please view the Medically Prescribed and Special Diets link at the top of this page or contact your local School Office for assistance.

 

Free School Meals

A Free School Meal is a school lunch provided by Aberdeenshire Council to children whose families meet the required criteria. Eligibility is linked to the level of benefit/income a family receives. Application forms are available from your childs school and to download by clicking on the Free School Meals link. Find out more about Free School Meals.

 

Vending and Tuck Shops

It is recognised that these features are an important part of school food provision both during and outwith meal times.

The School Meal service will provide:

Vending (Academies only)

Vending machines in use at present serve as an additional service to compliment the food and drinks currently available at the main service counters and help to reduce queues.

The types and amounts of products on offer are currently being reviewed in the interest of reducing sugar, salt and fat in the food and drink options available.

New vending machines are being introduced to provide further access to options that support a healthy lifestyle approach.

Tuck Shops (Primary & Special Schools)

‘New approach’ Tuck Shops are being introduced at schools through Aberdeenshire Council’s School Meals Service. This new service builds on the success of the Free Fruit Project for all Primary 1 & 2 pupils. In addition to the prepared fruit and vegetable sticks, the following are also available:

• Bottled water
• Milk
• Fruit juice
• New improved home bake recipes