Children's Food Campaigners welcome trials of universal free school meals

The Children's Food Campaign has welcomed the announcement of trials for universal free school meals for primary school children.

Campaign Coordinator Richard Watts said: “We're delighted.  Where this idea has been tried across the UK it has really benefited children.”

He added: “As long as the quality of the meals is not sacrificed to cut costs, universal free school meals is a relatively cheap way of significantly improving our children's health.”

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For more information, please contact Richard Watts on 07710 782719.

Notes to editors:

Between 2004 and 2007 Hull Council ran an experiment where it provided universal free school meals to all primary school children. The academic analysis of the results were excellent (Free Healthy School Meals: what can we learn from the Hull experience?, Professor Derek Colquhoun, Institute for Learning, University of Hull):

• An increase in take up of school meals, including amongst those already entitled to free school meals. 
• Given the improvements in the quality of school meals, there was a substantial improvement in children's nutrition
• Heads and teachers reported children were more relaxed and better behaved in school as a result of the scheme.
• Around 30% of parents said they were trying healthier food at home as a result of the trial
• 89% of teachers and 90% of parents surveyed thought that the programme was a good idea.

The Children's Food Campaign works to improve children's health and well-being through better food - and food teaching - in schools, and protecting children from junk food marketing.  We are supported by over 300 national and local organisations and 12,000 members of the public.  The Children's Food Campaign is coordinated by Sustain: the alliance for better food and farming.