Pupils around the country have taken to Twitter to share photographs of their school meals
Children across the globe have joined together today to celebrate food and culture to mark the third International School Meals Day (ISMD).
The purpose of the day, which is managed by Children in Scotland, is to raise awareness of the importance of food and nutrition in education and to share school feeding experiences from across the globe.
School food, pictures and news are being shared on Twitter by school pupils, organisations, government bodies, catering companies and anyone with an interest or involvement in promoting healthy eating under the #BigSchoolLunch and #ISMD2015 tags.
Pupils in Scottish schools along with other UK regions have enjoyed international themed menus and taking part in global Skype sessions and competitions, joining pupils from as far afield as USA, Australia, India and Asia to celebrate school food and nutrition.
Learning about food is great but eating it is better and that is where school meals can play a key role
The Scottish Government is a keen supporter of ISMD and has highlighted the connection between positive school food experiences and positive learning experiences.
Dr Alasdair Allan MSP, minister for learning, science and Scotland’s languages, said in his recent blog on ISMD: “Food is a big part of learning about health and wellbeing in Curriculum for Excellence but it can also play a wider role by helping to teach our children and young people everything from science to maths and social studies to technology.
“Learning about food is great but eating it is better and that is where school meals can play a key role. Our schools and local authorities work hard to ensure our children are provided with the opportunity to experience a wide range of balanced and tasty school meals, linking learning with experience.”
Children in Scotland chief executive Jackie Brock said: “There can be few in any doubt when it comes to the importance of the nutritional quality of school meals – and the link between good food and good mental wellbeing is now high on the political agenda of many countries.
“At Children in Scotland, we are absolutely delighted to continue our involvement with International School Meals Day, and the stories that are sure to emerge on 5 March will help us all learn about different food, different cultures and different traditions.”
