About Bite Back in Schools
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST
Bite Back in Schools is a fully funded programme that empowers students in Years 7–10 in England / S1–S4 in Scotland to lead positive change in their school food environment.
Through assemblies, interactive sessions, and the School Food Champions club, students explore food system inequalities and design social action projects that make healthy food the easy option.
By taking part, learners develop confidence, leadership, and advocacy skills - all while transforming their school for the better.
Over 30,000 pupils in 200+ schools have already joined the movement, and we’re just getting started!
Our schools have seen massive success: from hitting the headlines and winning awards in England, to being a finalist for a COSLA Excellence Award in our first year in Scotland.
Applications are now closed for our 2026/27 cohort. Register your interest below to be the first to hear when the next round opens:
Our Impact
We’ve seen some amazing results in schools across the country, where passionate young people like you have stood up and challenged the way it’s always been done, and proposed smart solutions that are really making a difference.
These include:
Putting Healthy Foods in the Spotlight
From swapping in brown rice and brown bread to boosting the fruit and vegetable count, our young activists have had plenty of winning ideas to make their canteens healthier. These include salad bars, vegetable pots, hummus baguettes, and vegetarian curries. One school even launched an outdoor kiosk selling healthy cold food. In Scotland, schools are already setting the standard: we’re talking free fruit and veg, meal deals smartly bundled with water and healthy snacks, and fresh produce displayed front-and-center right by the till.
Shaking Up Snack Options
Many snacks are sky-high in fat, sugar and salt – but there may not be enough delicious healthy alternatives. Our young activists set out to change that with plenty more fruit choices, lower-sugar options such as porridge, and healthier recipes for cakes and flapjacks.
Making Room to Eat Comfortably
At some schools, our young activists have addressed the issue of limited canteen space by working with staff to increase the amount of seating available. This gives more people the opportunity to sit and eat a healthier plated meal instead of a grab-and-go snack option.
Boosting Essential Hydration
Our young activists have also highlighted the importance of drinking plenty of water instead of soft drinks. George Abbot School and Banff Academy introduced more water fountains so everyone can get a drink for free. Other schools found that adding natural flavours like fruit, cucumber and fresh mint to water was very popular. And enterprising activists at Huxlow Academy landed sponsorship from Tesco and Wilkos to give free reusable water bottles to all Year 7 pupils!
Making Room to Eat Comfortably
At some schools, our young activists have addressed the issue of limited canteen space by working with staff to increase the amount of seating available. This gives more people the opportunity to sit and eat a healthier plated meal instead of a grab-and-go snack option.
MEET THE TEAM BEHIND THE PROGRAMMES
School Food Stories
Thanks to National Lottery players, Bite Back has received £3.5 million from The National Lottery Community Fund, to empower young people to improve their school food environment.