Parents want to see rules governing the quality of school meals in England properly enforced ahead of a government review of standards.
In June, the Department for Education said the School Food Standards would be updated for the first time since they were introduced for government-maintained primary and secondary schools in England in 2014.
The charity Chefs in Schools polled 1,000 parents for a new report on what parents want from school food and found over three quarters (78%) want the government to actively inspect and enforce the School Food Standards in every school.
The polling showed support among parents for the revised standards to prioritise healthy food over convenience ‘junk’ foods with 96% of parents believing it is important school meals are prepared with fresh or nutritious ingredients.
Two thirds of parents (66%) reported being concerned about the possibility of junk food being offered to a child in secondary school every day, while a quarter said these items should not be available in schools at all. A large majority (78%) said that without guidance their children would choose items high in sugar, salt and fat.
The survey also found widespread support for investment in school chefs with 80% of parents believing the government should make it mandatory for school chefs to receive training in child nutrition and the preparation of nutritious food.
“We welcome the government’s commitment to review the School Food Standards and we urge people to get involved and share their views on how school food could be,” said Naomi Duncan, chief executive at Chefs in Schools.
Shona Goudie, policy and advocacy manager at The Food Foundation, which contributed to the report, said raising the bar on school food standards and proper monitoring were fundamental to achieving better school food.
“Going even further, government should update procurement rules to prioritise British produce – not only helping children get more fresh, minimally processed food but also supporting British farmers and boosting the local economy,” Goudie added.
