Catering Scotland

An ambitious new project has been announced which aims to address food poverty and its links with well being and learning.

Focusing on two communities with significant levels of child poverty – Ibrox in Glasgow and Irvine in North Ayrshire – The Food, Families and Futures programme will be lead by Children in Scotland – the charity partner of Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) – and supported by Brakes.

Announcing the project this week, Children in Scotland chief executive Jackie Brock said: ‘The level of food poverty and its impact on children and families in terms of their security, well being and education, is unacceptable.

‘Free school meals are a lifeline but at weekends and during holidays, many families face a crisis, and that’s why we’ve devised this project which will empower communities to access meals during these times of greatest need.’

Jane Wood, Chief Executive of SBC, added: ‘We are determined to unlock the education, employment and enterprise potential of our disadvantaged communities, and we will use our power to encourage business to play its role as a positive force for change for individuals, communities and society as a whole.’

With 250 nursery and primary school children, take-up of free school meals at Ibrox Primary School is around 71% (up from 47% in 2013).

Meanwhile, around 33% of pupils at Irvine Royal Academy are in receipt of free school meals. Most of the school catchment consists of areas of multiple deprivation, with some falling into the 5% most deprived in Scotland.

National food supplier Brakes, Children in Scotland’s new corporate associate member, will lead the provision of food in Ibrox and Irvine. Managing Director for Scotland, John McLintock, said: ‘As part of our ground-breaking Meals & More programme, our role will be to ensure good quality meals are available in these communities.

‘This will include practical training, help with nutrition, and the provision of volunteers and essential ingredients to create tasty, nutritious menus for the children to enjoy.

‘We are delighted to be working with Children in Scotland on this as its corporate associate member.’

More details will be announced in Spring 2016.

www.brake.co.uk