I wondered what you guys thought. I am not sure they should be made to, but I do feel they should know where the products come from.
A separate survey of 2,799 adults, commissioned by the foundation, found that 61 per cent of those questioned believe that schools should be made to buy British meat products, even if it costs more money.
difficult one really. Schools do have a budget, and like every where else they are being squeesed. I would like to think they would try where-ever possible not only to buy British, but to support local farmers. This would mean the produce was fresh as well, and even keep the carbon footprint down, as it would only be transported from locally.
However I also have to say, I can fully understand that if the choice was between more expensive British meat...or more upto date text books for the kids...then I can fully understand them going with cheaper importer meats !!
I don't know enough really about the price differance, but schools do have to get, and are expected to get, value for money in the end.
So think I would say..no should not be forced....but certainly should be encouraged .
Lasagne, cottage/sheperds pie, mince etc are usually quorn in schools. So it is not even meat.
The meat is sourced through County Level and comes in vac packed and ready to boil in the bag or ding meal it.
Dave_Notts
Buying British doesn't mean NOT buying Halal ffs. Catering for different dietary requirements/preferences is part and parcel of feeding people.
I voted Yes - but I wish there was an option for "Yes - where possible/sensible".
It is impossible to buy British pepper, tea, coffee and many other items. They simply don't grow here. And providing a tempting range of veg right through winter is extremely hard if you are limited to British.
What I would like to see is schools, hospitals, prisons etc sourcing as much as possible, not only British, but local - truly local. Prisons and schools can even grow some of their own. If local isn't available, then seasonal AND British and only if that's impossible - from collectives, Fair Trade sources and small producers who benefit in a tangible way from the trade.
The food should be varied, tasty and introduce kids to foods from other places - not just the UK and the homelands of children from incomer families. Different things - interesting things.
And all schools - every damned one of them - should have their own kitchens and cook proper food fresh and on the premises. I'd allow neighbouring schools to share facilities - especially foods that can be sensibly transported a short distance once cooked - like lasagne and cakes. But feeding our children mass produced and reheated food is not acceptable - I doubt many do at home, at least most of the time. And kids whose parents think a nuked frozen pizza or a bag of chips is mainstay of a diet for a growing child will at least get some decent meals during the year.
I'm also strongly in favour of breakfast clubs - I heard a report the GCSE students invited to a breakfst club prior to each of their exams got a real benefit. Can't lay my hands in the report sadly.
Hospitals are just the same it would seam
After seeing PETA video, I really don't like the idea of my children eating halal meat. I am no vegie, but like to think the animals are stunned before slaughter. NOT trying to insult anyone here, just my opinion.
And buying from your local shop guarantees what ?
Back in 2010 an investigation showed that at least one quarter of meat on sale in the UK comes from farms that do not have to meet national standards for animal welfare. The UK has relatively high standards of animal welfare compared with the rest of the world, including the European Union. However, there are no restrictions on importing meat from countries that do not impose such standards, where costs are often lower.
Analysis of Trade Figures by the investigation showed :
=> More than half of bacon sold in the UK comes from the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and Italy
=> 43% of other pork products come from Denmark, Germany the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg
=> One quarter of poultry sold in the UK comes from seven European countries and Brazil
=> 3% of beef is imported from Brazil
=> in 2008, Uruguay overtook Brazil as the second largest beef supplier to the UK
=> in 2008 79,200 tonnes of beef were imported to the UK
Back in 2007 total imports of pork, poultry, beef and veal made up one third of all meat sales.
Indeed looking at DEFRA's "Food Statistics Pocketbook 2011" advises that in 2009, 27 countries together accounted for 90% of UK food supply, up from 24 countries in 1993. (The UK 'contribution' in this being 49.5%, so 50.5% came from outside the UK). The value of imports in 2009 was £32.5 billion compared to £14 billion for exports, giving a trade gap of £18.5 billion.
That's an awful lot of food being sourced from outside the UK and it's being sold to some one/organisation and then being consumed.
It's also worth noting from DEFRA statistics that Schools in England are estimated to dispose of 80 thousand tonnes of food waste, with primary schools generating more food waste than secondary schools.
