Last year Midlothian’s catering teams served over 1.16 million meals, with more than 36,000 meals prepared each week. Councillor Alexander enjoyed the nutritionally balanced Quorn dippers from the grab and go range.
Uptake continues to be strong as the latest figures show 59.84% of primary pupils were choosing a school meal, well above the Scottish average of 50.8%. Last year’s figures (2024/25) also show secondary school uptake at 38.22%, compared with the Scottish average of 36.7%.
Schoolchildren at the Dalkeith Campus enjoy meals such as homemade steak pie with vegetables and boiled potatoes as well as pasta in a tomato sauce with vegetables and garlic bread. School catering staff serve just under 4,500 meals a week to pupils.
Commenting on her experience, she said: “I’m incredibly proud of the quality of our school meals and of the commitment of our catering teams. Every meal is homemade, healthy and nutritionally balanced, and it’s fantastic to see so many of our young people choosing them every day.
“School meals support learning, wellbeing and healthy habits for life — and our pupils deserve the very best. Our message is simple — come along, try the meals, and enjoy great food that helps fuel great learning.”
Midlothian’s school meals hold the ProVeg Bronze Award and the bronze Food for Life Served Here certification. The council’s ambition is to reach the silver award next year.