Hungry for Success - Health Promotion - Scottish Borders Council

Hungry for Success - Health Promotion

Hungry For Success - changing school meals for the better

What is Happening to Your School Lunches?

Hungry For Success is a major initiative that is focused on improvements in diet and general health that will contribute to better educational performance for our children. Its prime focus is to improve both the quality and uptake of school meals across Scotland. From September 2004 we have been introducing a new menu for primary children to ensure that school lunches provide an important part of a child's daily nutrients. The menus will be rolled out across the region on a phased basis so that by December 2004 all primary schools were able to enjoy this new approach.

To develop the new menus, the Schools Catering Team has been working with dietitians from NHS Borders. We have also introduced other new initiatives, including:

Bigger portion sizes for older children
Increased choices
Better dining room facilities
Pupils will also be able to contribute to menu choices and will have their say in how some of the improvements will be made

What Role Can Parents Play

You can encourage your children to choose school lunches. There are many benefits to eating school lunches:

Eating well and drinking enough water will help your child concentrate in class
Well presented food at school can help children and young people learn more about food, nutrition and healthy lifestyles in a way that will shape their eating throughout their life
Your children will benefit from an improved social experience at lunchtime. Lunchtime is an important time for being with friends and classmates

What About Free School Meals

Access to free school meals is an important part of the service we offer
Children who have free school meals will not be made to feel differently from those who pay - nor will it be obvious that their meals are free
For details on free school meals please contact Kathleen Hunter at Council Headquarters on 01835 825093.

What Other Improvements are being made?

Other improvements will include:

All of our schools have chilled water available - all you need to do is to make sure your child brings a water bottle, which they can fill up from the chiller and will be able to drink at regular intervals throughout the day
Breakfast clubs are being introduced to more schools
We are undertaking a programme to ensure catering and dining staff are fully trained to meet the Hungry for Success targets
Your children will learn about food and health in the classroom and be encouraged to make healthier choices in the dining room.
The Council has approved a policy on all food in schools and copies of this are available from your head teacher or you can read the policy online.

How Can We Deliver This

The Scottish Executive has provided Scottish Borders Council and all other education authorities across Scotland with funding.
Measures are being put in place at all levels to monitor the changes
You will receive regular information about the lunch menu
Your school will welcome your involvement. Talk to your head teacher, School Board or PTA

More information

For more information on healthy eating you can contact the national hot-line on 0845 2788878

Or for information on the Hungry for Success initiative you can visit online (external site)