MSP Rhoda Grant welcomes return of hot meals to Highland schools
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Regional Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has welcomed a commitment from Highland Council to return all schools to a hot meal service.
In a letter to the MSP this week, the local authority confirmed more than 60 per cent of schools have gone back to serving hot meals already and it said all schools are expected to follow suit “shortly”.
It comes after Mrs Grant raised in Parliament her concerns about the nutritional substance of school meals post-lockdown, with follow up letters to the local authority’s chief executive Donna Manson and the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister John Swinney.
She raised the alarm after parents contacted her complaining a sandwich option, including fruit, snack and a drink, had since the new term replaced the cooked canteen lunch in their children’s schools.
A soup was also at times a side option.
Mrs Grant said: “These past few months must been really tough for our school leaders. Having to comprehend and ensure compliance with government guidance in order to keep our youngsters safe must have been a real battle.
"But it was troubling to hear children were being handed a sandwich and some side bits - but nothing cooked or wholly nutritious - for their lunch. "For many, that school dinner is their only cooked meal of the day.
"I’m so glad Highland Council is moving swiftly towards serving hot food in all schools again. I’m sure many parents will also be welcoming this move.”
