Schools to appoint lead governor for school food
The government is proposing that schools appoint a lead governor with designated responsibility for school food, as part of its reforms to school food standards.
Governors should work with senior leadership team to develop a whole‑school food policy. This policy should set out the school’s approach to food provision, food education (including practical cooking), the role of the catering team within the wider school community, and the school’s strategy for increasing the take‑up
of school lunches.
This policy should then be published on the schools website, alongside school menus.
The government is consulting on the reforms to school food standards, which includes limiting unhealthy ‘grab and go’ options, banning deep fried food and offering fruit instead of sugar-laden treats for the majority of the school week.
Anna Taylor, Executive Director, The Food Foundation, said: "With government announcing higher school food standards, which will also be monitored, and rolling out universal breakfast clubs and wider access to free school meals, the huge potential of school food to nourish and energise the next generation is finally being recognised. This must be the moment the whole sector pulls together to make school food delicious and nutritious, and embed food education into the school day. We have a unique opportunity to initiate a seismic shift in child health, and we are excited to drive this forward with our partners at the School Food Project."
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