Today, the government has announced a public consultation on updated school food standards. At the same time, a coalition of campaigning groups have formed the School Food Project, raising £2.3 million to support schools with implementation through a holistic programme of support
The School Food Project will work with schools to help them become centres of excellence in school food. In its first year, five schools in Greater London and five schools in the North West of England will take part, with plans to expand to more schools in following years. The programme will begin in September 2026, aligning with the publication of the government’s new finalised school food standards.
Schools participating in the project will receive a wide range of fully funded support, including training for school chefs, fully resourced food education, student-led social action campaigns to improve the dining environment, and gardening sessions where children learn to grow their own vegetables.
This holistic approach will transform both the quality of food in schools and enhance children and young people’s understanding of food, health and sustainability.
Stephanie Slater MBE, founder and CEO of School Food Matters, said:
“This is a truly exciting moment for school food. Government’s move to update the school food standards will strengthen the extension of free school meals and the continued roll-out of universal primary breakfast clubs. This has the potential to revolutionise access to delicious, nutritious and sustainable food for children and young people across the country.
We’re proud to be part of the School Food Project, working in partnership to help schools turn government ambition into reality. Through our Young Marketeers programme, we'll introduce children to the joys of growing fresh fruit and vegetables, and our Nourish programme will support schools to take a whole school approach to food, creating lasting change in school food culture and putting children’s nutrition and wellbeing first.”
Learn more about the School Food Project here. Read the consultation proposals and submit your views here.
