LMC’s pilot scheme strives to bring ‘Meat4Schools’
The Livestock and Meat Commission for Northern Ireland (LMC) has launched a pilot scheme which aims to improve the availability of beef and lamb for pupils studying food related subjects in post-primary schools.
Pictured launching LMC’s pilot ‘Meat4Schools’ scheme are, from left, Roger Sheahan, ABP Food Group, Liam McCarthy, ABP Food Group, Cherrie Kenny, LMC Education Services Manager, Heather Kettle, Head of Food and Nutrition at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, Harry Sinclair, LMC board member, Gerard McGivern, LMC Chairman and Hugh McGahan, ABP Food Group.
The ‘Meat4Schools’ scheme is being run in the form of a competition where one school from each of the six counties and Belfast will have the chance to win £100 worth of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured (NIFQA) beef and lamb for use in class. With the beef and lamb being supplied by ABP Food Group, the winning post-primary schools will also receive a meat temperature probe.
Speaking about the scheme, industry development manager, Colin Smith said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this pilot scheme to post-primary schools across Northern Ireland. If it’s successful and if there’s enough interest, we’re hoping to roll it out as an annual competition.
“Our main aim behind the competition is to improve the availability of beef and lamb in post-primary schools. Our Northern Ireland Beef and Lamb Farm Quality Assurance Scheme (NIBL FQAS) is incorporated into the GCSE Food and Nutrition and A Level Nutrition and Food Science syllabuses. Our hope through this scheme is that pupils can further their understanding of food traceability, animal welfare and environmental sustainability which are key pillars of NIBL FQAS. We also hope that through improving the pupils’ cooking skills, they will learn about the versatility of beef and lamb as part of a healthy, balanced diet and be encouraged to cook with it inside and outside the classroom.
“To win we’re simply asking food related classes to answer two questions based around the theme of food provenance, traceability and nutrition. Classes must also create their own beef or lamb recipe and winners will be announced on Monday, January 13, 2020.”
Applications are now open and they must be returned by 4pm on Monday, October 21st. ABP Food Group will be delivering the beef and lamb and post-primary schools must issue photographic evidence of its use to LMC by March 2nd, 2020. Competition details and terms and conditions are available on: www.food4life.org.uk.
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