School lunches

We provide healthy school lunches that give children the nutrients they need to grow, learn and stay well. Every meal is planned to meet criteria as set out by the school meal regulations.

Our menus are carefully designed by our caterers to make sure meals are balanced, filling and lower in fat, sugar and salt. We serve over 4.8 million school lunches each year, all meeting these standards.

What our lunch menus include

All school lunches follow clear rules to protect children’s health. At lunchtime we provide:

• at least two portions of vegetables and one portion of fruit
• no added salt in recipes
• healthy oils only for cooking
• condiments in small portions
• oily fish at least once every three weeks

We limit deep‑fried foods to no more than three items per week, and chips are only served as part of a meal. We do not include confectionery, genetically modified foods, or food and drinks containing hydrogenated fats.

How we make meals healthier

We go further than the regulations by making small changes that make a big difference, including:

• baking food instead of frying where possible
• adding vegetables to dishes by blending
• replacing heavy desserts with fruit, yoghurt and home baking
• offering vegetables, salad and fruit with every meal

Nutrients that support growing children

School lunches help children get key nutrients, including:

• iron for healthy blood and energy
• protein to help children grow and repair their bodies
• fibre to support digestion and help children feel full
• calcium for strong bones and teeth
• vitamins A and C to support immunity, skin and vision
• folate and zinc to help with healthy growth and healing

Find out more

If you have questions about school lunches or your child’s needs, contact your child’s school for help.