We were delighted that our pupils and canteen were selected to demonstrate Glasgow’s dedication to low carbon lunches. The article and photographs are available below.
As part of the Sustainable Food Places ‘Day of Celebration and Action’, Glasgow City Council has partnered up with the Glasgow Food Policy Partnership to organise a Low Carbon Lunch.
The environmentally friendly lunch options were served in all Glasgow schools yesterday (29 September 2021). These emphasised the impact of our food choices on the planet, to both pupils and staff. Alongside the nutritious lunches themselves, all schools were provided with education materials to be used in the classroom.
A low carbon meal utilises ingredients that have lower greenhouse gas emissions. Food (mainly, meat, dairy, eggs and fish production) contributes up to 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the United Kingdom and so, the long term effects of our daily food choices cannot be underestimated.
A Low Carbon Lunch is not only better for the planet, but is a treat for the taste buds!
Pupils of Hillhead High School were joined by a professional chef who carried out a cookery demonstration, encouraging the young people to become more adventurous when eating, growing and cooking with vegetables. The session was co-ordinated by the Veg Cities Glasgow campaign run by the Glasgow Community Food Network.
“As part of the school curriculum, our pupils are learning about food sustainability and the benefits of produce from local suppliers having a positive impact on tackling the climate emergency. “The Low Carbon Lunch will be another example of how we can learn how everyone can make a difference and follows the announcement recently of our Food for Life Served Here Bronze award for our school meals and as out city prepares to host COP26 in November.”
Councillor Anna Richardson,
City Convener for Sustainability and Carbon Reduction,
Making small changes to lunches served daily in hundreds of schools across the city, will have a huge impact. This is a continuation of the councils work with the Soil Association, who awarded Glasgow with a Bronze ‘Food for Life Served Here Award’ last week.
The Low Carbon Lunches also support the agenda of the Glasgow City Food Plan, which aims to make the city’s food system more sustainable.
Serving up Low Carbon Lunches is a major step towards delivering on the city’s commitment to the Glasgow Food and Climate Declaration. Glasgow is now urging other cities across the world to take the pledge and sign, ahead of COP26 in November.
