Petition power puts puddings back on the Primary School menu in Aberdeenshire
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A call for custard and other puddings to be returned to the catering menu for primary school pupils in Aberdeenshire has been heard by councillors at the Education Committee.
The appeal was brought forward by the then Rhynie primary pupils William Dibb and Angus Beverly who are now in S1 at the Gordon Schools.
Aberdeenshire Council removed custard, fruit yoghurt and ice cream along with cake based puddings from its primary school lunch menus, prompting a backlash from both parents and pupils.
The authority stated that new government legislation aimed at curbing children’s sugar intake over the school day has forced the move by driving up food costs.
In turn, disgruntled pupils and parents took to campaigning for their return in moderation as part of a healthy and balanced menu, leading to over 800 signatories to a petition which was heard by the councillors.
Addressing the meeting online, Willam spoke to committee members about the situation.
He said: "Until the summer I was a P7 pupil at Rhynie Primary and am now in S1 at the Gordon Schools.
"In the spring my class was very disappointed when we found out that the school menus would be changed to remove, custard, ice-cream and baked treats that we enjoy.
"This was due to the food and drink regulations in schools issued by the Scottish Government.
"It was really tough for us children to hear this news when we had just returned to school after lockdown and with a whole new list of Covid rules to follow and losing touch with our friends, our schools and our freedoms, we were now to lose our puddings to.
"We gathered signatures from staff and pupils and even featured in local and national press.
"We gathered over 800 signatures from across Aberdeenshire.
"We understand you must comply with regulations on red meat and process sugar.
"But the regulations are the same across Scotland and other councils have been able to keep some sweet treats on their menus.
"Orkney still has vanilla ice-cream, apple crumble with custard, pancakes with fruit compote, carrot cake and rhubarb and ginger pudding along with yoghurt with honey.
"Clackmannanshire still has citrus sponge with custard and rice pudding while Aberdeen City still has raspberry cheesecake, and peach crunch.
" The Aberdeenshire menu has seen items removed and replaced with a a daily diet of fruit salad and dry muffins or biscuit.
"Many children at my school did not enjoy that and there was a lot of food waste.
"Other councils offer a choice of dessert of the day or fruit yoghurt which can be low fat and sugar free.
"The attack on desserts is even more amazing given that there are other items still on there, cheese wheels, hot dogs, burgers etc - we don't want to lose these either but there should be moderation and healthy mixing.
"Let us have a healthy and balanced menu we can all enjoy."
Councillors were in wide support of the call, with councillor Anne Simpson commenting: " The idea of balance is spot on , healthy eating and an active lifestyle is important."
Councillor Ron McKail said: "This brought home to us who don't visit schools that often and I have no disagreement on this."
Fellow councillor Alison Evison said: "It was informative to hear what other councils have.
"It's heath and well being that your proposing and I support the recommendation to take this further."
On the process ahead, councillor Martin Ford said; "This was well presented and evidence based we have been asked to look if a report is appropriate, and the case has been made that we should do that.
"We should consider further what action to take."
Head of Education Laurence Findlay explained: "Members may wish to be aware that we have a report coming in October on catering which had been postponed it because of new nutritional guidelines and the provision of new free school meals.
"So I suggest we include this in it as one paper."
He continued: "The team have been working with nutritionists and chefs on the back of this."
Ian Paterson from Aberdeenshire Council's catering team said: "School catering like feedback so we thank you for bring this to our attention.
"Changes had to be made to reduce sugar but we have been working behind the scenes to ensure that the quality of our food was maintained.
"Custard will be back on our menus from October and we are looking at other items and how they can be integrated"
A new menu will be introduced following the October break, with new recipes for some old favourites which young people themselves have been campaigning for, alongside a wide range of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Following the discussion coucnillor Gillian Owen remarked on how pleased she is with seeing “children’s rights in action” and explained: “Very well done to William and his friend Angus.
"We are absolutely committed to listening to the views of children and young people and I’m really pleased they felt empowered to write to us about something they feel passionate about.
“Ensuring we provide a range of healthy foods – in line with the latest nutritional guidelines, in partnership with local suppliers, making sensible, sustainable choices and also ensuring some of the things children tell us they like can be included – is no mean feat.
“Our priority has to be to ensure children and young people can enjoy a healthy start in life, and we want to engage with them about how we best deliver that.
“Our fantastic catering team has continued to work hard on menu design and gathering views from pupils, parent and school cooks since a new menu was introduced in March.
"They are also carrying out ongoing research with local suppliers as well as working alongside a dietician on new menu options.”
