Over 40 complaints lodged against new primary school lunch menu
SIC defends the menu as ‘varied and affordable’
MORE THAN 40 complaints have been lodged against Shetland Islands Council’s new primary schools meals menu.
The council confirmed that it had received and responded to 43 formal complaints against the new menu, which will begin after the summer holidays.
Some people have taken to social media to criticise the introduction of options such as rainbow lasagne and buffalo cauliflower wings, with some weeks featuring two meat-free days.
Shetland News reported in June that a former professor, living in Edinburgh, had complained to the SIC about the “poor quality” and “unconventional” choices in the new menu.
Shetland Islands Council has defended the school meals options on repeated occasions, and said this week it had responded to all of those who had complained.
“These menu choices meet nationally agreed nutritional standards and provide a varied and affordable daily menu for pupils,” it said.
“We aim to encourage healthy eating habits for children with a balanced mix of ingredients and meal choices.
“The menu options on offer include some traditional favourites as well as some newer dishes, that reflect wider dietary trends.
“We will also provide an adapted diet for any child, for medical, ethical, or religious reasons, or who has additional support needs.”
The council added that it used the ParentPay platform to prebook school meals, calling this “a well-established and flexible system, familiar to many parents and carers”.
“The booking system for meals is now open, to prebook for the new school term starting next week.
“Pre-booking allows our catering staff in schools to plan and prepare meals for pupils, with the minimum of wastage.”
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It added that more details on school meals, including the menu options, could be found here.
The four-week menus alternate between schools, with those in Baltasound, Cunningsburgh, Dunrossness, Hamnavoe, Sandwick and Whalsay served fish on a Thursday.
All of the other primary schools in Shetland are offered fish on Fridays.
Other options offered on the menu include lentil soup with a sandwich selection, pork sausages and a broccoli and sweetcorn crustless quiche.
Former professor Susan Robertson complained about the menu in June, saying she had been inclined to do so because she knew of people in the teaching profession in Shetland.
She claimed the menu had been introduced without proper consultation with children, cooks and parent councils, and said several of the new dishes “do not align well with local culinary traditions or the tastes of Shetland and our children”.
Buffalo cauliflower wings were cited as one example of a poor menu choice by Robertson in her complaint.
However the SIC’s acting catering team leader Cathy Mann defended the new menu in a response to Robertson.
Mann said the menu had been developed through a “structured process” involving experienced catering staff and management, with consideration also given to previous feedback about school dinners.
She said the SIC understood that “not every dish will appeal to every child or family”.
“The menu has been designed to balance familiar favourites with some newer options while fully complying with Scottish school food standards,” Mann said.
“The menu includes a range of familiar and popular options, including fish and chips, macaroni cheese, burgers, sausages, pizza, fajitas, chicken goujons, curry, spaghetti bolognese, and mince and tatties.
“The menu also includes some newer dishes that are increasingly common in schools and public sector catering across Scotland.
“The reference to ‘buffalo cauliflower wings’ relates to just one item within a varied menu and helps provide a plant-based option alongside many more traditional choices.”
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