Schools - catering
General
A meal service is provided by West Lothian Council's Domestic Services Unit to 79 schools throughout West Lothian, accounting for a total of 1.8 million meals each year.
Primary schools either have an onsite kitchen producing meals, or are deemed dining centres where meals are transported in from a production unit.
Secondary schools and community high schools all have production units and provide a cash cafeteria-type service for pupils and staff. A morning break service, selling a limited range of filled rolls and hot drinks, and a lunchtime service are offered. All school meals take account of seasonal variations as well as dietary and religious requirements.
Hungry for Success
The Scottish Government Initative has been rolled out in partnership with Education Services following the seven guiding principles set out in the Government document 'Hungry for Success - a Whole School approach to School Meals in Scotland':
- Positive School / Whole child ethos
- Partnership Working
- Pupil Consultation
- Eliminating Stigma
- Managing the Process
- Influencing Choice
- Incentives to improve uptake of school lunches
Although the initative sets the Scottish Nutrient Standards for school lunches, it also goes further and directs the service towards the whole school approach.
Further information on Hungry for Success can be found in the Hungry for Success document on the Scottish Government website - see link on the right.
Free Fruit Initiative
The Free Fruit Initiative is now fully operational and provides fresh fruit three times per week to all primary 1 and 2 children.
Primary School Menus
The primary school menus are changed twice per year, new menus being introduced after the October and Easter Breaks. Tasting sessions are held to evaluate new dishes before they are included in the menu cycles. The latest menu can be viewed under 'Online Tools' on the right.