The wild venison comes from Ardlussa, Barnhill, Tarbert and Ruantallain Estates. Children from Small Isles Primary on Jura played a key role in product testing, with their favourite dishes being wild venison meatballs and burgers, which now feature on the school menu.
Venison is a nutrient-dense food, rich in protein and low in saturated fat, making it a healthy addition to school meals. The new menu items are available in Jura and Islay Primary Schools and Islay High School.
Councillor Ross Moreland, Argyll and Bute Council's policy lead for finance and commercial services, said: “We’re thrilled to introduce wild venison to our school menus on Islay and Jura. It’s a no-brainer to make the most from such high-quality, locally sourced produce. The demand for local wild venison has always been high, but without butchery facilities, it wasn’t feasible until Wild Jura came along.
“Our pupils have been integral to this pilot, from learning about sustainable produce to testing dishes and deciding what to add to the menu. As we work towards creating a climate friendly Argyll and Bute, this is a fantastic example of field-to-fork quality local food that eliminates air miles and is cost-effective.”
The council worked with Food for Life Scotland to develop recipes that comply with Scottish Nutritional Requirements for Food and Drink in Schools and the Food for Life Served Here standards.
Andy and Cath McCallum from Wild Jura added: "We are delighted to be supplying Wild Jura venison to the six schools on Jura and Islay. As we all become more aware of the benefits of fewer and fresher ingredients in our foods, it is great to see the council offering our products in their school meals.
"Food miles are extremely low, processing is minimal and additional ingredients are organic or free range. We are grateful that these benefits are recognised and are now being enjoyed by local children, whom we have a collective responsibility to feed with care."