Could an expansion to universal free school meals deliver a win-win for healthier food and food security for our children? Join us for a debate in a free webinar on Thursday 29 June from 3pm.
According to the Child Poverty Action Group, two in five children living in households below the poverty line are not eligible for free school meals. At the same time, the Government has also set out an ambitious target to halve childhood obesity levels by 2030 – now less than nine years away.
With Scotland rolling out new universal primary school meal pledges, and both the National Food Strategy and Welsh Government advocating expanded eligibility for free school meals, this webinar takes a look at the case for universal approaches - not just as a response to hunger, but their contribution to healthier menu choices, better educational outcomes and more vibrant local economies.
Speakers will include:
- Christina Adane, Co-Chair of Bite Back 2030's youth board
- Andy Gold, London Borough of Newham,
- Laura Meikle, Head of Support & Wellbeing Unit, Scottish Government
- Birgitta Rabe and Angus Holford, ISER, University of Essex, on their evaluation of the Universal Infant Free School Meal programme in England.
It is aimed at policy makers, school leaders, education bodies, children and young people's organisations, local authorities, researchers, public sector caterers and all groups working on food insecurity and access to healthy food for children.
Register for the webinar here.
