Council reveals new healthy eating approach
This is to benefit schools and communities across the region.
A whole new approach to schools dinners across Dumfries and Galloway is providing healthier meals to pupils and supporting local businesses at the same time.
‘Naturally Dumfries and Galloway’ is the council’s sustainable meals plan, which has been focusing heavily on sourcing whole foods from suppliers in the region, rather than mass-produced processed foods from big name companies.
This has resulted in healthier meals for kids at nursery and school, while food businesses in the region have benefitted from new schools contracts.
Meanwhile, food that is close to going out of date is being donated to anti-poverty groups, rather than ending up in the bin.
A report on the development of the sustainable meals plan will be presented to councillors at the council’s economy and infrastructure committee next Tuesday.
It reads: “Naturally Dumfries and Galloway is more than just about the food we source relating to school meals, it highlights where the food we serve comes from and the importance of buying quality produce.
“Naturally Dumfries and Galloway is committed to supporting local economic growth whilst delivering a healthy, sustainable approach to the delivery of our school meals service.
“We are able to purchase good food locally while promoting the use of local businesses and farmers.
“We are committed to working alongside The Scottish Government to tackle both obesity and poverty in the region, making us the best area in Scotland to live, learn, work, visit and grow.
“The council aims to act as a role model within the public sector, by carrying out its activities in a responsible and sustainable manner, considering how it can improve the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the area.”
The renewal of some of the school meals food contracts has seen the following local suppliers come on board so far: Rowan Glen (Palnure, Newton Stewart), Express Bakery (Dumfries), Pioneer Food Distributors (Carlisle), Lactalis McClelland (Stranraer), Auchtralure Eggs (Stranraer), Thomsons Foodservice (Dumfries), George Carruthers (Glasgow), and Muller Wiseman Dairies (Glasgow).
Naturally Dumfries and Galloway has donated kitchen equipment to support the set-up of a community kitchen in Kirkcudbright, while food donations have been welcomed by anti-poverty groups in the region.
The council report states: “Donating food products that are almost out of date enables the food to be used in local support kitchens to make hot meals for the community.”