Kilmory canteen is awarded top recognition
By Aileen MacLennan
Argyll and Bute Council’s canteen at Kilmory Castle in Lochgilphead has been awarded Healthy Living Plus status for the first time.
Healthy Living Plus is the highest level of Healthy Living awards available, and rewards catering establishments that demonstrate a greater commitment to supporting healthier eating through their menus; food and drink preparation; marketing and promotional activities; food presentation; and point of sale.
Welcoming the news, Council Leader, Councillor Aileen Morton, above, said: “The catering team at Kilmory Castle are committed to providing customers with healthy choices that taste great, and they have worked tirelessly to achieve this award.
“The canteen is continuing to go from strength to strength and the food the team serves is to the highest standard. They supply catering to a number of local business and organisations on a daily basis too, as well as catering at private functions – they are gaining a growing customer basis outwith Kilmory.
“The criteria for achieving the Healthy Living Plus award is challenging so I am truly delighted, but not surprised, to hear that they have done it. It is very well deserved. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
Meanwhile, catering staff at Lochgilphead Joint Campus have got behind ‘Veganuary’ by providing pupils with a delicious vegan option every day at lunchtime.
From vegetable fajitas and sweet potato curry, to bulgar wheat salad and pesto and chickpeaflat bread, pupils have fully embraced the delicious new food options available, with vegan options selling out quickly.
Head Teacher Ann Devine said: “I would like to commend the catering team for their tremendous efforts to promote sustainability and healthy eating in the school.
“This is an excellent example of our catering team fully supporting the work of the campus and its values. The effort and attention to detail they have gone to is amazing – even down to providing coleslaw made from vegan mayonnaise. We are hugely fortunate to have a team like this in Lochgilphead Joint Campus.”
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor Yvonne McNeilly, right, agreed: “Young people need to be given choices in all aspects of life and food is no exception. Veganism has grown in popularity over the last few years, so it is wonderful to hear that the catering staff at Lochgilphead Joint Campus are giving pupils the opportunity to explore it.
“Having been invited to have lunch at the school only a few months ago, I can wholeheartedly say that the food was fantastic and I look forward to hearing what new ideas the team comes up with next. Well done to everyone involved.”
Fruit Fridays are a big hit at Kilninver
Staff at Kilninver Primary have introduced an ingenious way of encouraging pupils to eat more fruit and vegetables, whilst reducing the school’s food waste at the same time.
Known as ‘Fruit Fridays’, any fresh fruit and vegetables that are left over from the week are prepared, attractively presented and shared out amongst the children on a Friday, encouraging them to eat more healthy and to try new things.
The school’s Head Teacher, Helen Daniels, said: “The children love our Fruit Fridays. We have noticed a huge increase in the amount of fruit and vegetables that pupils are eating.
“This has had a really positive knock on effect on the amount of food waste we are producing and helps raise awareness of our SHANARRI well-being indicators (safe, healthy, active, nurtured, achieving, respected, responsible and included). It is a win-win all round.”
Argyll and Bute Council’s Policy Lead for Education, Councillor, Yvonne McNeilly, said: “Our schools play a central role in teaching our young people healthy eating habits, so it is great to see Kilninver taking this approach.
“It is also encouraging to hear that the school is making pupils aware of the impact of food waste and the things they can do to help. Well done.”