A school meal - it's the best deal!

School Captains Alyssa and Aaron from St Joseph's Academy, and Acting Head of Campus Angela Buchanan, welcomed guests from the Council to their Campus recently to enjoy a fresh, sustainable school meal.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Douglas Reid was joined by Councillors Elaine Cowan, Graham Barton, Linda Mabon and Neill Watts; Head of Facilities and Property Management Andrew Kennedy and Assistant Director of Education Graham McGinn for lunch. 

They joined the queue with children from St Andrews Primary and the young people of St Joseph's Academy to choose their meal, and this was a great opportunity to speak to the children and young people about school meals and also to chat with Catering staff about the service they provide each day.

In East Ayrshire, all primary age school children have access to a free school meal. This was a strategic priority of the Council, committing investment for two years from August 2025.

It was important to the Council that young people in our secondary schools can access an affordable, fresh and sustainable school meal too. 

Catering Services has been supported to introduce the fantastic value £1.25 school meal deal into our secondary schools. The meal deal is available for all young people who pay for their lunch and includes - a main meal, a piece of fruit and a snack - which can be soup, a yogurt, a cookie or a second piece of fruit plus a 250ml carton of water.

Councillor Douglas Reid said: "What a warm welcome we received from Acting Head Teacher Angela Buchanan, the children, young people and all the staff from St Joseph's Campus.

"It was great to be invited not just enjoy a school meal but also have the opportunity to speak to our young people and the Catering Team, so that we can hear their thoughts and experiences at lunchtime first-hand. John from the Catering Team at St Joseph's has a military background and it definitely comes in handy - it is an extensive operation, which requires significant planning and preparation every day. I have a great deal of admiration for Catering Services across East Ayrshire.

"It is an important priority for our Council that children and young people have access to fresh, sustainable and affordable school meals. We recognise the difficulties families are having with rising food costs and this investment to extend free school meals to all primary children will help to ensure that no child goes hungry.  

"Free school meals are also available in our secondary schools for some, but we recognised that the cost of living crisis is having an impact on families who don't necessarily qualify for a free school meal. That is why we introduced the £1.25 school meal deal. It is well documented that eating well and attainment go hand in hand so it isn't just about ensuring our young people are fed but also that they are reaching their full potential."