School Food Is Changing in England, Because People Like You Spoke Up
For the first time in over a decade, England’s School Food Standards - the rules about what’s served in schools - are changing.
That’s a big deal.
Alongside the expansion of Free School Meals, it means we have a huge opportunity to make school food healthier, tastier and better for millions of young people across England.
And this change didn’t happen on its own.
Young people spoke up. Parents and teachers backed them. Thousands of you shared what you wanted to see from new School Food Standards.
Together, we were impossible to ignore.
So before we talk about what still needs to change, we want to say something important:
But winning new rules is only the beginning.
Now we need to make sure they deliver what young people have been asking for: healthy, tasty school food that helps them learn, grow and thrive.
You spoke. The message was clear.
Earlier this year, we asked people across England what they wanted to see change about school food.
You spoke. We listened.
Earlier this year, we asked people across England what they thought needed to change about school food.
People want better school food
Parents told us what they are seeing every day.
“My kids eat a varied diet at home but at school it’s the same snack foods and sugar options every day.”
Others told us about the amount of sugary drinks available in secondary schools.
“I was shocked when I saw how many sweet fizzy drinks my boys could buy at secondary school.”
And concerns were raised about drinks being marketed as healthy when families weren't always sure what they were buying.
The message couldn't be much clearer.
People want school
food that puts
young people's
health first!
And progress is happening
The expansion of Free School Meals means hundreds of thousands more children will have access to a school meal.
That's a huge step forward.
Changes to England's School Food Standards also have the potential to make school food healthier for millions of young people.
These wins haven't happened by accident.
Young people have campaigned.
Parents and teachers have spoken out.
Supporters have taken action.
Together, we've helped make school food impossible to ignore.
This is your win too
If you've signed a petition, completed our survey, shared one of our campaigns, contacted your MP or simply talked to someone about school food, you've helped.
Thank you.
Every action adds pressure for change.
And together, we're showing decision-makers that healthier school food matters.
But changing the rules is only the beginning
New standards only matter if they actually change what young people see on their plates.
That's why Bite Back will keep pushing for the new English School Food Standards to be:
Introduced quickly.
Young people shouldn't have to wait years for healthier school food.
Properly monitored.
We need to know whether schools are meeting the standards.
Properly enforced.
Rules mean very little if nobody is making sure they're followed.
Built around young people's experiences.
Young people should have a say in what school food looks and tastes like.
What does school food really look like today?
Young people have told us how badly the new standards are needed, and we’re helping them prove it.
We're investigating what's actually being served and sold in schools and whether current rules are being followed.
Because changing policy is one thing.
Making sure every young person benefits from it is another.
More findings from our school food research are coming soon.
More findings from our school food research, with the latest: School Food Standards: The Rules Aren't Working If Nobody Checks.
Get the findings first
How good is your school junk food knowledge?
Take our quick Junk Food Quiz and see how much you know about the food environment young people face every day.
Young people are leading the change
Young people have been at the heart of this campaign from the beginning.
They've spoken to politicians.
Challenged food companies.
Shared their experiences.
And demanded something incredibly simple:
School food that supports their health instead of working against it.
In September, young people will take that message directly to Parliament as we continue pushing decision-makers to make the new standards count.
We won change. Now let's make it count.
This is a moment worth celebrating. But it isn't the end of the campaign.
We'll keep watching what happens next, investigating whether the standards are being followed and holding decision-makers to their promises.
Because every young person deserves healthy, tasty and affordable food at school.
