INCREASING TAKE-UP OF FREE SCHOOL MEALS

Offering free school meals is only the first step, engagement will be vital to ensure all parents and carers accept the offer of a hot lunch for their children. The sooner you can start engaging with parents on school food, the better. Here’s what we find works well.

• Contact Parents: Use the template letter from Woodmansterne School to tell them about the change. (P34)

• Send a survey to families not accepting the free lunches, ask what would change their minds.

• Taster Sessions: Host taster events for parents to try the food. Use this as a chance to explain that hot lunches are far more nutritious than packed lunches. (P31)

• Whole School Approach: We work with a number of schools who host low cost food markets using surplus food providers, like The Felix Project, to support with the cost of living crisis, it’s a way to bring people together through food and can become a passion project and source of pride for staff.

Top Tip: If food is at the heart of a school, everyone can benefit and we find it becomes a talking point, making even the most fearful eaters happy to try something new. Surrey Square Primary School is a great example for inspiration. Read about their weekend market. (P36)