A tasty charity burger
Help for Home-Start
Lucky shoppers at Tesco in Bathgate got the chance to take home some tasty burgers in exchange for a donation to charity.
The fundraising event was organised by pupils from Bathgate Academy through a partnership between the school and leading Broxburn-based beef processor AK Stoddart.
AK Stoddart challenged teams of S2 students from the school to produce a new Scotch Beef PGI burger to be part of their product range.
The pupils conducted market research, developed the product, designed packaging and created a marketing campaign to promote the new product.
AK Stoddart produced the winning Chinese inspired burger, created by Adam Rayer, Adam Bradley and Finlay Campbell. The company also worked with their printing partners to produce labels for the packs using the designs the boys created.
The burger went on to raise around £ 470 for local charity Home- Start West Lothian at Tesco in Bathgate, with last minute donations still coming in.
The partnership aims to help pupils develop business skills, learn about the many exciting careers available in the Scottish food and drink industry and how the subjects they learn in school relate to the real world of work.
Moira Stalker, FDF Scotland schools programme coordinator, said: “This successful project brings to life the variety of exciting career opportunities available in the food and drink industry – including science, product development, engineering, marketing, nutrition and design. With partners we are inspiring the next generation of food and drink leaders.”
Phil Swailes, site manager, AK Stoddart, added: “The Make it with Meat challenge is a fantastic platform to inform all S2 pupils of the range of career opportunities within food manufacturing.
“Well done to Adam Rayer, Adam Bradley and Finlay Campbell for their winning Burger ‘Beef Spice and Everything Nice’. It is crucial that we encourage innovation and excitement in our industry from a young age, given its importance to the Scottish Economy as a whole.”
And Emma Aitken, home economics teacher at Bathgate Academy, said: “The Make It with Meat challenge is an exciting learning experience for our pupils to learn about the farm to fork process.
“It teaches pupils where the meat they eat comes from, how it is processed and how it is developed into a consumable product.
“The challenge also provides pupils with an insight into the different jobs and skills required in the food industry.
“Our S2 pupils have thoroughly enjoyed this challenge and created some innovative flavour combinations.”
Tracey Harrison, community champion at Tesco Bathgate, said: “Tesco is delighted to be involved in this innovative project. I was inspired by the imagination and hard work shown by the pupils when creating their burgers and how they have worked together on all aspects of the process.”