Comprehensive food and nutrient-based standards for maintained schools in England are now in place, covering food and drink served at lunchtime, and throughout the school day.
The new standards cover all food sold or served in schools:
- breakfast, lunch and after-school meals
- tuck, vending, mid-morning break and after-school clubs.
The introduction of these standards means that all pupils in local authority-maintained schools who take school lunches have the opportunity to select a healthy meal that contributes to a healthy diet.
Nursery schools should continue to follow the lunch guidance which came into effect on 1 April 2001.
Guidance for the new standards for primary and secondary schools can be found on the School Food Trust’s website.
The Government takes the matter of healthy school meals very seriously. Healthy school food can help to improve children's readiness to learn and their behaviour at school, as well as helping to establish healthy eating habits for life.
