Anger over no hot school meals for kids in East Dunbartonshire

Since the children returned to class in August, they have not yet received a hot meal. Instead, they have had to do with “very small” sandwiches.

Many parents have sent their children to school with their own packed lunches instead as they had been coming home hungry.

Parent Dan Frazer told the Herald: “Since schools went back, East Dunbartonshire Council have not given kids hot meals at lunchtime, unlike many other councils who have been providing hot meals for a while now.

“The council have said they are going to do a review of this sometime, but have not answered, or explained themselves at all. Kids are coming home with rumbling bellies after having a small sandwich at lunchtime.

“I have a three-year-old at Lenzie Meadow Nursery, and a six-year-old at the primary. The kids get a very small 
sandwich, and very rarely do any of the kids choose a soup.”

He added: “Apparently EDC last week started a ‘trial’ of hot food at a couple of the schools.

“They have told some of us they do not have cashless catering set up properly in order to offer everyone hot food.”

He hit out: “EDC have used Covid as a reason to provide the poorest levels of local authority service in Scotland many times since March.”

Another parent said: “I just don’t understand why EDC have been so slow on the uptake. It’s the same with everything though, when schools were getting info about starting back we were the last ones to find out. I really hope for these kids’ sake that hot meals are reinstated before winter.”

Council boss Thomas Glen responded: “Since schools returned in August, pupils have had the option of hot soup as part of the lunch menu.

“Following a successful trial, from Monday (November 2) our new lunchtime menu will be introduced and rolled out to all children in our Early Years Centres and all students in Secondary Schools, Primary school pupils in P1, 2 and 3.

“Those who receive a free school meal will also be able to choose from the new autumn menu which includes a hot meal option.

“Work is ongoing to offer access to the full menu to all remaining primary pupils.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience over recent weeks and can assure parents and carers we are doing all we can as quickly and safely as 
possible.”