Campaigning
School Food Review
As part of our campaigning work, Newham Council is proud to be part of the School Food Review coalition, sharing good practice and supporting their campaigns.
We know that too many children are still missing out on the benefits of delicious nutritious school food. Now is the time for reform, to realise the full potential of the school food system. A group of national charities have set up this coalition including representatives of catering staff, school leaders, local authorities, experts, campaigners, and, of course, school children.
The work of the coalition focus on five ‘pillars’ of the school food system:
- Entitlement
- Procurement, operations and contract management
- Accountability and quality assurance
- Uptake
- Funding
To find out more about the School Food Review coalition please visit: School Food Review | School Food Matters
Investment into school meals
Newham Council is committed to investment into the school meals provided in the borough, while also calling on the Government to extend Free School Meal provision to every child in England, ending the school food postcode lottery.
National School Meals Week - Newham calls for investment into pupils’ food – Newham Council
Free school meal auto-enrolment
As part of a nationwide piece of work, members of Newham Council have called on the government to implement free school meal auto-enrolment. Data shows up to 250,000 of the country’s most vulnerable children are missing out on their statutory right to a free school meal. This process would enable more children across the country to have easier access to a school meal, if they are entitled.
Auto-enrolment letter from all (foodfoundation.org.uk)
Expansion of access to free school meals
We believe all children across the UK should receive the benefit to health, performance and attainment that a universal meal provides. We will continue to call on government to allocate funding to universal free school meals and have already written to the Prime Minister about this matter. We welcomed the Mayor of London’s universal primary free school meals scheme, and supported the team with the implementation of this offer.
Newham Council welcomes the extension of universal free school meals funding – Newham Council