school meals | Schools Week

DfE seeks business sponsors to boost flagship breakfast scheme impact

Government says industry providers can help schools ‘make greater impact’ – and promises ‘promotional rights’ in return

No such thing as a long lunch: 1 in 10 schools provide under 30 minutes

New study shows food served up is ‘poorly received’ and 20% of kids do their only exercise in school

Half of councils face funding shortfall under Khan’s school meal scheme

Analysis suggests funding for the extension of universal free school meals will leave a shortfall of £33 million across London

DfE schools survey exposes depths of cost-of-living crisis

Two-thirds of schools hike meal prices, while three in 10 say energy support scheme made no difference

Infant free school meals funding rises by 5% but still ‘falls short’

Government announces funding for meals for the youngest pupils will rise from £2.41 to £2.53

School caterers turn to processed foods as cost and supply issues bite

A survey of catering providers by LACA shows the quality of school dinners is likely to worsen

Council halts hot free school meals over recruitment crisis

Free school meal pupils instead given ‘grab bag’ cold lunch, as caterers warn of potential for wider winter disruption

Caterer Compass repays furlough cash after free school meal parcel row

A multinational catering firm at the centre of the free school meal parcel fiasco has announced plans to repay millions in furlough cash and serve more plant-based meals. Official figures published this month show Compass Services UK claimed between £12.5 million and £25 million between December and February alone to pay staff wages. Data has […]

School catering staff feel excluded, undervalued and poorly trained

Over a third of school caterers feel excluded as members of staff and more than a quarter feel undervalued, a survey has revealed. Research by the trade union Unison found that 35 per cent of kitchen staff felt excluded in their schools, and 27 per cent admitted they didn’t feel valued within the school meals […]