HOW WE HAVE IMPROVED

Scottish Executive's 'Hungry for Success' programme provided funding of £1.5 million over the last 3 years, which was the catalyst for East Ayrshire Council to be able to improve the whole school meals service.

Our school meals service is now looked at significantly more than just simply supplying meals, and now looks at the promotion of sustainable agriculture and healthy eating, the use of local suppliers for fresh seasonal and traditional produce, more general sustainability and environment issues, and the reduction of waste through better resource management.

The Council has developed a strategy of 'joined up thinking' covering areas of health, environment, community, public service, economic activity and education. The Onsite Services school meals service is now seen as part of education and the wider policy needs of the Council. We have also regained the enthusiasm and commitment for our catering service, and for the provision and promotion of good food.

Our new 'sustainable' approach has led to a positive effort to procure local food sources, which provides a number of key benefits: fresh and seasonal food for superior taste; fewer chemicals which are healthier and safer; lower food miles which is better for the environment; local food providing Council investment in the community; and it reconnects consumers and producers.

East Ayrshire Council has also adopted the Soil Association's 'Food for Life' programme, which sets targets for 30% organic, 50% local produce, and 75% unprocessed food. It also delivers links with the education curriculum, approved nutritional standards, links with local suppliers, careful recipe and menu development, and importantly increasing school childrens' awareness of real fresh food.

Council developments in the school meals service include:

• Radical menus and recipe book using fresh food and fresh cooking
• Pilot breakfast clubs and cashless meals
• Training seminars for catering and nutrition, and parents and teachers conferences and meetings
• Organic meals and local produce introduced
• Healthy vending replacing confectionery vending
• Improvements in dining rooms, equipment and deli bars
• Menu boards, information leaflets and branding
• Link to physical activity and home economics

The success of the Council's school meals initiatives have been widely recognised across Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally, culminating in awards:

1. Guardian Public Services Award for Innovation and Progress 2005
2. Soil Association 'Food for Life' School of the Year 2006
3. British Institute of Facilities Management Sustainability Award, Highly Commended 2006