School dinners leaving a bad taste

TEACHERS and pupils in Edinburgh have hit out at lukewarm, sub-standard meals served in "ghastly" school dining halls.

In a damning new report, school staff complain of broccoli that is more grey than green, "peely-wally" carrots, and food served on trays that look as though they belong in Saughton Prison.

The Taste of Reality report by The Pilton Partnership cites meals being prepared at one school and eaten at another as one reason for the low quality.

Dining halls are described as "unpleasant" and the authors say that in the eyes of children they compare badly to KFC and McDonalds restaurants.

The report was compiled last year, four years after the launch of the Scottish Executive's Hungry For Success initiative which was aimed at improving children's attitude and knowledge about diet and eating healthily.

Despite this, staff still complain that youngsters struggle to recognise healthy food options because they do not get them at home.

Cammy Day, youth participation worker at the Pilton Partnership, said: "At one of the schools some of the kids didn't know what a certain vegetable was and so were not sure if they should eat it or not."

Much of the criticism of food served in Edinburgh's schools came from the teachers and kitchen managers. They also hit out at parents who fill lunch boxes with "absolutely appalling processed food".

The responses from youngsters were more mixed, ranging from claims health food looks disgusting to praise such as meals "smell brilliant" and "taste great".

Mr Day admitted: "We did not expect the teachers to be as critical as they were.

The headteachers complained that they did not have any control over the food and when it comes from other schools' kitchens it is lukewarm.

"Some of the schools we were looking at have since introduced healthy meals. But only this morning we had children in here saying the food is still rubbish."

The surveys took place after Hungry For Success menus were introduced in primary schools, but before they were brought into secondaries.

But Mr Day said changes to the menus was not all that was required, and schools and the city council could learn from the fast food chains when it comes to providing a fun dining experience.

"No-one wants to eat in a dining hall that looks like a hospital canteen," he said. "There's nothing in these dining halls that is appealing."

Dean Loughton, 18, a member of the Pilton Partnership's young people's forum, said: "Things are changing and meals are getting healthier, which is good to see.

"But the way the food is presented needs to change quicker because often the meals are not very attractive."

Councillor Marilyne MacLaren, the city's education leader, said: "We welcome this report and will look closely at the comments and use any information which can help us to improve our school meals.

"We encourage pupils to eat school meals, and try to provide them with tasty, balanced meals including vegetarian and healthy options."

WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE FOOD AND CANTEENS

School staff, including head-teachers and kitchen managers.

On food prepared off site...

"The veg looks sad and colourless - the broccoli is more grey than green, and the carrots are peely-wally."

"The taste of the food is horrible - it has a sad taste. It's just not fresh, it's been kept warm for too long."

On canteen trays...

"I've taken issue with the 'prison trays' - 'flight trays' they call them. The only time the children will eat like this is if they're in Saughton."

On dining halls...

"If I was being honest I would have to say it's horrible - ghastly with horrible metal windows. I wouldn't want to eat in there."

On the new range of fruit and vegetables...

"Some of our kids don't recognise the foods on offer - we've asked for the catering company to come in and do taster sessions."

The pupils gave a more mixed reaction.

"Health food looks disgusting - make it look better, get fresh ingredients."

"Not cooked right at all. Mince has lumps in it and is yuck."

"The school lunches are really brilliant - good smell."

"They are healthy and they taste the best."