Growing number of schools failing to comply with food standards

Sustain member The Soil Association's State of the Nation report on children's food in England finds that 19% of kids in the UK are experiencing food insecurity and children are still drinking too many fizzy drinks.

School meals. Photo credit: School Food MattersSchool meals. Photo credit: School Food Matters

News Children's Food Campaign

Published: Wednesday 12 February 2020

The Soil Association's in-depth report covers children's experience of food from breastfeeding and infant foods, school meals, junk food advertising, eating out and sweetened drinks.

Key findings from the report:

Where has progress been made?

  • The Youth Climate Strike movement and Children's Future Food Inquiry saw children speaking out on food, health and the climate
  • Thousands of schools are serving healthy and sustainable school meals through Food for Life Served Here
  • In response to our Out to Lunch campaign, 13 restaurant chains committed to serving two portions of veg with every child's meal by June 2020

What still needs work?

  • 19% of children in the UK are experiencing food insecurity
  • A growing number of schools are failing to comply with school food standards
  • Children are still drinking too many soft drinks, including artificially sweetened drinks

Read the full report here.


Children's Food Campaign: Campaigning for policy changes so that all children can easily eat sustainable and healthy food.

Sustain
The Green House
244-254 Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9DA

020 3559 6777
sustain@sustainweb.org

Sustain advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture.

© Sustain 2025
Registered charity (no. 1018643)
Data privacy & cookies
Icons by Icons8

Sustain