Change doesn’t happen by chance. When we set out to shape the new English School Food Standards earlier this year, we needed the masses calling for change with us. School food in England is a conversation where the experiences of young people are often left out, even though they are the ones directly impacted by its quality.

And that’s not all. Alongside fighting for better school food, young people are keeping up the momentum on their wider school food environments, asking the Government to take the restrictions on selling energy drinks to under-16s seriously.

For too long, high-sugar energy drinks have ruled playgrounds with cool and trendy marketing at the expense of children’s health. Our activist Alice took to The Grocer to spread the message about what a delay on action could mean for our futures.

The Government has now announced the restrictions will come into place in April 2027 — proving that our voices add pressure to progress.

Our mission goes beyond schools—we’re fighting for better access to affordable, healthy food, to take junk food out of the spotlight, and for the Government to protect children’s health—not just junk food profits.

And every time we turn the page or turn on the radio to see a young person speaking up for the healthy future they imagine, we’re getting one step closer to change.