Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme: Implementation and Operation Group minutes: May 2024

Welcome, introductions and apologies

The Chair welcomed everyone to the 8th meeting of the SMHSS Implementation and Operation Group (IOG) including the groups newest members from The Vegan Society and COSLA.

Minutes and actions from previous meeting (Paper 2)

The group were content with the minutes from the previous meeting (Meeting 7). The Chair confirmed these will be published on the SG website. The Chair updated the group on the actions from the previous meeting and highlighted that an updated actions log will be issued alongside the draft meeting notes for comment.

Update on the data collection exercise

Diffley Partnership Ltd (Diffley), who undertook the data collection on behalf of SG, presented an overview of the findings and reminded suppliers to complete their returns if they had not already done so.

Following Diffley’s presentation, the group had a discussion on the initial findings. The Vegan Society expressed that they were delighted to see non-dairy alternatives (NDAs) being offered as part of the SMHSS, unlike other UK schemes. They highlighted that oat milk is often chosen above other NDAs (such as Soya). They also emphasised that it was important to reiterate the message that NDAs should be fortified.

Muller and SG suggested that it would be beneficial to nationally upscale the figures. Diffley confirmed that they would look to supply this information.

Muller sought confirmation of when the data for the cost of the provision of the Scheme were gathered. Diffley will confirm. Muller also noted that the 200ml carton size might be an outlier from the forms used and an approximation.

The Chair asked if Diffley can breakdown the costs into Highland and Island areas. Diffley will look to add this to the report.

The group noted that the combined median cost of cows milk and a healthy snack was 58 pence, in line with the current national flat rate. It was noted that some settings will be reporting this as they will be using the flat rate to guide their purchasing habits. It was also noted that NDAs and formula milk median price was above the national flat rate.

The group noted that the report highlighted the preference of the majority of settings to purchase items from a shop rather than direct from a dairy or milk agent. This was due to the cheaper cost of purchasing from a shop due to lower distribution costs.

SG asked Diffley to update the healthy snack costs by removing any non-permitted items under SMHSS such as breadsticks, crackers, cheese etc.

ASSIST highlighted that questions around drinking vessels and jugs etc were included in the questionaries and sought clarity if funding for SMHSS covered these items. The issue of the costs of storage and cleaning of items was also raised. The Chair confirmed that SMHSS funding was not intended to cover the purchase of items to supply the milk or healthy snack including storage or cleaning, it is only intended to cover purchasing of the milk, NDA and healthy snacks.

The Chair thanked Diffley for their presentation and highlighted that the findings and feedback from the group would inform advice to Ministers on potential options for the SMHSS going forward, including the potential for public consultation later in the year. The Chair highlighted that Diffley’s final reports (one summary and one full report) will be published online in due course and shared with the IOG.

The Chair asked members to get in touch with SG at their dedicated SMHSS mailbox (SMHSS@gov.scot) with any suggestions or queries on the data collection findings by Close of Play, Wednesday 15 May 2024.

Updates from IOG members

The Chair invited feedback/updates from the group. There was no further feedback/updates from the group in relation to what has been covered in the agenda so far.

Any other business

The Chair highlighted that an amended Term of Reference (TOR) for the group was circulated with the meeting papers (Paper 3). Members confirmed that they were content with the revised TOR.

Date of next meeting

The Chair confirmed that the next meeting will be scheduled for Autumn 2024. SG will issue a Doodle Poll in due course to identify a suitable date for the next meeting (Action 1).

Attendees and apologies

• Scottish Government (SG) - Scottish Milk and Healthy Snack Scheme (Chair and Secretariat)
• Scottish Government, Education Analytical Services
• Scottish Government, Early Learning and Childcare (ELC)
• Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA)
• ASSIST Facilities Management
• Association of Directors of Education in Scotland (ADES)
• Scottish Borders Council (ADES)                                                  
• National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
• Cool Milk and the School and Nursery Milk Alliance (SNMA)
• Scottish Childminding Association (SCMA)
• Scotland Excel
• Muller Milk and Ingredients
• The Vegan Society
• Diffley Partnership Ltd

 

Apologies:

• McQueens Dairies
• Public Health Scotland
• National Farming Union of Scotland (NFUS) Dairy

Items and actions

Action 1: SG to issue a Doodle Poll to identify a date and time for the next meeting.