First Minister, Jack McConnell MSP, gave his most detailed outlook for four years on the environmental challenge facing Scotland, at a the launch of Environment Week on Monday 5 February. His speech highlighted three priority actions that government and the public can take together, that will both reduce carbon emissions and benefit local communities. 

The three priorities are: energy efficient housing; recycling, and local food in school meals. The First Minister highlighted the 'food miles' that school meals usually travel and the potential twin benefits to both the environment and to school pupil if school meals are made from fresh locally grown produce. Citing East Ayrshire schools as a good example of local farmers supplying local schools, he now wants to see local food on school dinner plates across all parts of Scotland.

Crofter and Highlands and Islands Enterprise board member Drew Ratter welcomed the new policy: "Local food on school dinner plates makes good sense - fewer carbon emissions and more taste, plus regular trade for local farms and crofts. This new policy is to be warmly welcomed and needs to be put into action as soon as possible".

Highland Council Education service will be appointing new suppliers for meals to all schools across Highland, with tendering for the contract starting this month.

HILFN leader Jo Hunt said: "Highland could be the next part of Scotland to make locally-grown school meals available to all school pupils.  We have the product and it is the freshest, closest and most local you can get. Our farm members would be proud to supply our local schools - if we get the opportunity."

Drew Ratter commented: "There is good local produce available across the Highlands and Islands, and we need to make sure that our kids get to enjoy it for lunch. We need to work closely with the councils in all parts of the north to get it on the dinner plate."