| 2018-09-10 |    |
Scotch Lamb Back on School Menu
A four-week NFUS Campaign pilot to have Scotch Lamb included in school meals in Tayside has been deemed a success.
To promote the procurement of fresh, local lamb in Scottish schools, NFU Scotland, with Quality Meat Scotland (QMS), Tayside Contracts and Perth & Kinross Council, have run a pilot campaign introducing a different lamb meal onto Tayside school meal plans, every week, for the last four weeks.
From left to right: Mike Williamson, Councillor for Perth and Kinross; Martin Kennedy, NFU Scotland Vice President; Jim McLaren, Chairman of QMS.
The pilot, which was spearheaded by NFUS Vice President Martin Kennedy and Perth & Kinross Councillor Mike Williamson, looked to give school children in the area the opportunity to have local lamb as a regular dietary option.
QMS is currently delivering a major marketing and PR campaign behind Scotch Lamb and the results of the lamb pilot activity in schools has timed with Love Lamb Week, a national push to encourage people to try out different lamb dishes all this week.
When asked if they would like to see the dishes added to the menu on a regular basis, pupils at Inch View Primary in Perth said they definitely would, highlighting the lamb kebabs and lamb lasagne as both being very popular.
NFU Scotland Vice President Martin Kennedy said:
“We are delighted
that the pilot has gone down so well with the children, many of
whom will not have eaten very much lamb outside of the traditional
chops or roast. Scotch Lamb PGI is such a versatile product and
the success of this pilot proves there is great potential for it
to be used more regularly in school meals across Scotland.
“It is no surprise that the meals have gone down a storm with the children who had them, with so many delicious ways of cooking it there is something for everyone on the menu. Over the last few weeks the school pupils have had the chance to try lamb lasagne, kebabs, meatballs and Moroccan lamb.
“Lamb is such a healthy dietary option, providing a natural source of protein, zinc and B vitamins. In the current economic climate, it can be a relief to many parents to know that their child is getting a warm healthy meal when they are at school.
“Having Scotch lamb on the menu in our schools gives great credit to the sheep farmers in Scotland, who work tirelessly to provide a high quality product from sheep that are maintained under the highest animal health and welfare standards.
“Naturally produced Scotch Lamb is not just a locally produced tasty product, it also makes a serious contribution to maintaining our cherished environment.”
Mike Williamson, Perth and Kinross Councillor, said:
“I would like to thank
all those who were involved in this pilot scheme. The quality of lamb in Scotland
is outstanding - a fact reinforced by the enthusiasm displayed by the children
involved in this pilot.
“I believe passionately that having Scotch lamb on the menu in schools will be beneficial to farmers, parents and children. I am delighted to have been involved in the rollout of this pilot and am hopeful that, off the back of such positive feedback, this scheme can be extended to schools across the region and country."
QMS Chairman Jim
McLaren said:
“Scotch Lamb is rich in protein and one of
the most natural and wholesome foods Scotland produces, underpinned by world
leading quality assurance.”
“QMS is currently running a campaign to highlight just how simple and versatile lamb is as an ingredient and we are delighted the introduction of a range of Scotch Lamb dishes to school meals in Tayside has been so well received by pupils and teachers.
“We very much hope that more schools will follow Tayside’s lead to make the most of the fantastic lamb in Scotland’s natural larder.”
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skill John
Swinney MSP added:
"I
congratulate Mike Williamson, NFU Scotland, Quality Meat Scotland and all
other stakeholders for their role in formulating this exciting pilot scheme.
The results of the pilot are very encouraging and speak to the world-leading
standard of lamb that we have in Scotland.
"The Scottish Government recognises that it is vitally important to promote our premium produce. It is for this reason that we have committed £200,000 to promote Scotch lamb and the tireless work of farmers to ensure their meat is of the highest quality.
"This pilot scheme clearly demonstrates that there is an appetite for more lamb, and it is exactly the sort of meaningful step that can be taken to raise awareness of this important Scottish product."
