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FREE MILK FOR CAITHNESS PRIMARY PUPILS
Highland Councillors today agreed that free milk should be provided to all primary school pupils in Caithness as part of a pilot scheme which will run from September 2003 to July 2004.

An estimated 2,164 pupils will receive the free milk in 18 primary schools, including those with special educational needs, at a cost of £83,407. Funding for the project will be provided from within the Highland Council’s “Hungry For Success” allocation from the Scottish Executive of £2.7m over the next 3 years.

In April 2003, the Scottish Executive published the report “Hungry For Success – a whole school approach to meals in Scotland” which sets the vision for revitalising the school meals service throughout Scotland. The report presents a number of recommendations, linking school meals with the curriculum as a key aspect of health education and promotion.

The “Hungry For Success” recommendations for milk provision within Caithness Primary Schools will be extended to offer all pupils milk at lunchtime for children taking school lunches, packed lunches or home lunches. Local arrangements will be made with schools where pupils will collect from a designated point within their dining facilities a carton of milk, and straws will be provided.

Where a child has intolerance or allergy to dairy produce, fresh fruit juice will be offered as an alternative.
The lunchtime experience and provision of free milk will be part of the structure of the school day. Classroom Assistants and Dining Rooms Assistants will undertake a supervisory role in dining rooms and School Senior Management will strongly support and endorse their school meal provision as part of the whole child healthy approach.

Councillor Roger Saxon, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Caithness Area Education, Culture and Sport Committee said: “Nutrition has been identified as one of the key things that can improve performance in schools, therefore I am delighted that this pilot project is running in Caithness and I hope that everyone involved in our children’s education supports these measures.

“Free milk at school was something that many of us experienced and perhaps took for granted as children so I am delighted that our children in Caithness are getting the opportunity to benefit from this initiative.”

Norma Murray, Catering and Cleaning Manager with The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Service said:  "It is really encouraging that school catering in Scotland is maintaining a high profile on the national agenda relating to obesity in children. Part of our main aim in our catering and education environment is to make a difference to our children and their future health in Caithness and throughout the Highlands. The results will not be instant but rather an investment for the long term health of our children so we have to endeavour to encourage lifestyle change for the future."