There has been some media coverage recently about where food served in schools is sourced. Here is the situation is Aberdeenshire:
Aberdeenshire Council’s school catering service provides meals for pupils made with produce acquired from local sources as best as possible. The service has achieved the Soil Association’s Food for Life Silver Catering Mark for a second year running. This award includes issues of health, animal welfare and planet-friendly food.
Local sourcing of produce is particularly important to the catering service.
All red meat (beef and pork) is supplied by an Aberdeen butcher, is Scottish most of which is reared in North East Scotland. Pork is mainly Scottish with a small percentage being UK. All the pork and beef is QMS, Red Tractor or RSPSA certified.
Since March 2016 all chicken used in primary schools is British Red Tractor approved, with secondary schools following in September 2016. No chicken produce used for Aberdeenshire primary school meals is sourced from Thailand.
White fish is landed and processed in Peterhead.
Tinned tuna and salmon (frozen and tinned) do come from International waters but are all Marine Stewardship Commission (MSC) approved.
Fresh vegetables are supplied by a family run business near Montrose, all fresh vegetables are from Scotland unless unavailable.
Eggs are free range, and yoghurt is organic.