FOI Request - Food Wastage in Schools

Request 101003798379

1.  Average (mean) amount of food wasted in primary schools per school day, by number of meals, by weight, and by cost for calendar years 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (provide the average according to the number of school days in the year).

2.  Amount of food wasted per year in primary schools, by number of meals, by weight, and by cost for calendar years 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022.

3.  Average (mean) amount of food wasted in secondary schools per school day, by number of meals, by weight, and by cost for calendar years 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (do not provide the average including days of the year that the school canteen is not open/the holidays).

4.  Amount of food wasted per year in secondary schools, by number of meals, by weight, and by cost for calendar years 2025, 2024, 2023, and 2022 (do not provide the average including days of the year that the school canteen is not open/the holidays).

5.  Please confirm your internal definition of wastage.

Response 20-06-2025

1. Not held. We do not keep this information. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held However, the waste is minimal.

2. Not held. We do not keep this information; Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
However, the waste is minimal. Primary schools may prepare extra 2-3 portions for emergencies, i.e if a child spills their meal or child has forgotten to order; if these are not used, where appropriate and within the guidelines of Food safety Act the hot food is cooled and frozen for future use.

3. Not held. We do not keep this information. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held However, the waste is minimal.

4. Not held. We do not keep this information. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
However, the waste is minimal. Secondary Schools - any item that is not classed as high-risk foods i.e. potatoes are cooled within the Environmental Health’s Guidelines, packaged and labelled with ingredients and allergens (reheating instructions if appropriate), then refrigerated. Education staff put then them out for pupils to pick up free of charge.

5. Food waste is peeling etc in the preparation of vegetables etc for the dish i.e. apple core and food items that have been prepared and able to reuse. Plate waste is food children have chosen but have not eaten