Lamb now a permanent fixture in Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross school lunches following successful pilot

Scotch Lamb PGI will now appear on school menus in Dundee, Angus and Perth & Kinross following a successful pilot, backed by NFU Scotland.

The launch of the rejuvenated school lunch menus took place today (Wednesday 6 March), at Breadalbane Academy in Aberfeldy and was attended by NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy.

The successful pilot in 2018 demonstrated that the vast majority of primary and secondary school children enjoyed a variety of lamb dishes, including a lamb biryani, lasagne and kebab. The successful pilot was instigated by NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy and local Councillor Mike Williamson.

There will now be a roll out of lamb on school menus across all primary schools and secondary schools in Tayside.

Commenting on today’s launch, Vice President Martin Kennedy said: “When we started this pilot last year, we weren’t sure how successful lamb would be in school meals, considering the declining consumption in recent years. It was terrific to see the results clearly demonstrate that primary and secondary children were enjoying the healthy, tasty lamb dishes.

“Here, in Highland Perthshire, we produce top quality Scotch Lamb, utilising natural grass growth to produce nutritious food and the same is true across the country. It’s great to see an increase of Scotch Lamb sourcing by the public sector in Tayside.

“NFU Scotland has consistently said that there are massive opportunities for the public sector to source a wide range of healthy food from Scotland.   That benefits our children, our communities, our economy and has a positive benefit to our environment, as a healthy food is being sourced with minimum food miles attached.

“NFU Scotland has contacted the Scottish Government to make them aware of the success of the pilot and the news that lamb is now firmly on the menus in Tayside for the forthcoming year, outlining our eagerness to see this success spread to other parts of Scotland.

“I give huge credit to local Councillor Mike Williamson, Tayside Contracts and Quality Meat Scotland for all their support in achieving this.  It clearly demonstrates the opportunities that exist for Scottish food and farming to grow domestic consumption of what we produce.” Ends

Notes to Editors

• A photograph of NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy at the launch will be available after 3pm by contacting media@nfus.org.uk

Contact Douglas Ross on 0131 472 4059