FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Organisations Call for Immediate Extension of FSM
This week the School Food Review Group, a coalition of organisations which includes The Food Foundation, School Food Matters, Chefs in Schools, Bite Back and Barnardo’s as well as other charities, educational bodies, unions, academics and caterers hosted a parliamentary event.
The Superpowers of School Food: Breakfast and Beyond, was designed to bring together organisations working in school food, talented chefs and caterers, young people and educators who are urging the government to extend access to free school meals. Also in attendance were MPs and parliamentarians who are being urged to support the call to extend access to free school meals.
The event showcased the evidence that shows exactly why every child, no matter where they live, should have the same opportunity to access and enjoy nutritious, delicious and sustainable school food. This evidence, first released in 2022, has recently been updated and released as the Superpowers of Free School Meals Report 2.0.
In England, access to free school meals is extremely restrictive, with families needing to earn under £7,400 (after tax, excluding benefits) per year to qualify, leaving around one million children in poverty without access. However, in other parts of the UK, the situation is better. The eligibility threshold is highest in Northern Ireland at £15,000 (after tax, excluding benefits). Children in London and Wales, as well as some age groups in Scotland, are entitled to universal free school meals in primary education.
“Investing in feeding children well is like laying the foundation of a tall building. The strength of the entire building rests on it. If you skimp on the foundation, the entire structure becomes unstable, no matter how tall you want it to reach. Similarly, children are the foundation of our collective future.
By ensuring they are well-nourished, we’re building a strong, resilient society that can rise to great heights. Skipping this step undermines the potential for everything that comes later.”
– Anna Taylor, Executive Director of The Food Foundation
