The government has announced plans to revise School Food Standards, which specify what types of food should be served at school and how often.
The news came alongside plans to extend the eligibility for free school meals, in a move that is set to benefit an additional 500,000 school children.
Secondary schools and sixth forms are a “blind spot” in efforts to provide quality school meals, according to campaigners.
Nicki Whiteman, interim CEO of youth activist movement Bite Back, said the government should take the opportunity of its review of school meal standards to provide “urgently needed reform”.
Action was “long overdue”, said Whiteman, “especially in secondary schools and sixth forms, where we consistently hear that food quality is poor, the queues are chaotic, and unhealthy grab-and-go options dominate. These are the blind spots of the current system – and where reform is most urgently needed. But it can’t be a rush job."
The current School Food Standards, which were last updated in 2015, have also been criticised over inconsistencies in interpretation, low rates of compliance, communication gaps between authorities and schools, and a lack of enforcement.
Wholesalers welcomed the government plans, while calling for additional funding.
Gavin Squires, business development controller for education and healthcare at Bidfood, which specialises in school and college catering, said: “It’s crucial we now see a fundamental increase in funding to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital service.”
FWD head of external affairs Lyndsey Cambridge also urged government to review the budget set per pupil “to keep up with inflation”.
“Increasing the number of meals, but not the price per meal, risks impacting the quality and quantity. We want to ensure that these pupils benefit from a healthy and nutritious meal every day.”
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