About school lunches

Learning and health go hand in hand. Good health of children and young people are a prerequisite for educational achievement. Inverclyde Council, therefore, recognises the importance of providing and promoting healthy school lunches within all our schools.

The idea is simple and adheres to The Schools (Health Promotion and Nutrition) (Scotland) Act 2007 by providing wholesome, nutritionally balanced meals the school children will eat and to encourage children to make healthier eating choices which meals eating more fruit, vegetables and carbohydrates and cutting down on foods high in fat and sugar. We need your help to make the message clear to children and to other parents / carers that school meals are nutritious and healthy.

What happens in schools

The lunch menus follow strict nutritional guidelines to make sure your child gets a healthy diet. This means all recipes are nutritionally analysed to ensure each meal has a good mix of protein, iron, fibre, vitamins and minerals to provide a healthy balance across all menu choices. We have made a huge commitment to make the school meals appetising and healthier for children.

  • This will comprise of a hot meal with soup or dessert and a drink or a mix and match item with soup or dessert and a drink.
  • Vegetables and salad will be served daily.
  • Fresh Fruit will be offered as an alternative to vegetables and salad and as a dessert option.
  • Baked potatoes will be served daily with a choice of fillings and salad.
  • Sandwiches, wraps, panini’s and pasta pots will be served with a choice of fillings and salad.
  • Milk, water and fruit juice will be served daily.
  • Free bread will be served daily.
  • Vegetarian options will be available on request; however notice must be given first thing in the morning and may be limited to choice.
  • In line with the government guidelines, oily fish must be included in the menu therefore the menu will include an oily fish dish one day a week.

5 a Day

Fruit and vegetables help set you up for a healthier lifestyle, therefore, everyone should attempt to 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Best of all, there is so much variety to choose from, all year long, there’s enough to keep even the fussiest eaters happy. To get the best health benefits, your ‘5 A Day’ portions should include a combination of a variety of fruit and vegetables. That’s 5 portions altogether, not 5 portions of fruit and 5 portions of vegetables.

5 great reasons to eat 5 portions of fruit and vegetables a day:

  1. They are packed with vitamins and minerals
  2. The can help you to maintain a healthy weight
  3. They are an excellent source of fibre and antioxidants
  4. They help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and some cancers
  5. They taste delicious and there is so much variety to choose from

Almost all fruit and vegetables count towards your 5 a day. What’s more there’s no limit to how much you can consume – so the more you eat the better. It’s also good to know that you should eat a variety of fruit and vegetables to get the maximum nutritional benefits. This is because each contains different combinations of fibre, vitamins, minerals and nutrients. Besides, eating the same ones every day would be boring. The following guidelines bellow will help you on your way to your 5 a day.

  • Fresh, frozen, chilled, canned, 100% juice and smoothies all count, as do dried fruit and vegetables.
  • Fruit and vegetables don’t have to be eaten on their own to count. You can also include any vegetables found in stews, sandwiches and other dishes.
  • Fruit and vegetables contained in convenience foods link ready meals, pasta sauces, soups and puddings, also contribute to your 5 a day. Ready made foods, however, can be high in salt, sugar and fat which should only ever be eaten in moderation, so it is important to check the nutritional information on the labels and packaging.
  • Dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals do not count towards your 5 a day. This is because many dietary supplements don’t have the same nutritional benefits as fruit and vegetables.
  • Potatoes and other related vegetables such as yams and cassava don’t count. This is because they are classified as starchy foods.