Council considers school meal price rise and reduced food quality

THE cost of school dinners in Argyll and Bute is being proposed to rise — while the quality of the meals could fall.
Officials have published a savings option to impose a six per cent increase on the cost of a meal in the council’s schools, a first increase since 2021/22.
That would mean £2.45 in a primary school and £2.55 in a secondary school, although it is reported that those remain cheaper than nearby local authorities.
But another savings option also raises the possibility of lowering the cost, quantity or quality of food products made available.
The council is exploring ways to plug a projected budget gap of £10.5 million in 2026/27 — which is forecast after a theoretical six per cent increase in fees and charges and a five per cent rise in council tax.
If the two savings options are implemented, it is estimated that the council would save a total of £200,000 a year.
A report highlighting savings options will be presented to the full council at its meeting on Wednesday, November 26. However, no decision will be made until the council sets its budget in February.
In relation to increasing charges for school meals, the report said: “Based on current uptake this would generate additional income of £50,000.
“Due to the cost-of-living crisis and priority of protecting families there has been no annual increase of chargeable school meals since 2021/22.
“There is a mixed picture nationally in terms of school meals provision and charging. A range of other council charges are: West Dunbartonshire Council £3.19 for both primary and secondary, East Dunbartonshire Council £2.60 and £2.71, Highland Council £2.40 and £2.65, with North Lanarkshire charging £3.40 and £3.45.
“There is also a balance to be struck between increasing the cost of a school meal whilst not wishing to prompt the student to seek a meal outside of school.
“Most high schools have alternative options if prices are deemed to be excessive and therefore overall income could fall.”
On school food procurement and efficiency, it listed a number of steps including: lowering cost/quantity/quality of food products for school meals; mapping unit cost of meal and productivity per kitchen; forecasting future demand in line with pupil numbers and being reactive to changes; and investigating potential for loss of Soil Association accreditation.
It added: “The procurement of food is a high-value budget line of £2.318m. The service is currently working on ways to further improve efficiency of the provision of school meals, however this will be impacted on school roll numbers, demand and increase of universal free school meals.
“Standards in terms of food quality and nutritional value are set by the Scottish Government and will require to be adhered to.”
It added that the savings option was potentially worth £150,000 per year.