School food improvement programme for Birmingham

A school food improvement programme is set to launch in Birmingham in 2026, working with schools to improve the quality and culture of food throughout the school day for children and young people across the city. 
 
Run by charity School Food Matters, the Nourish will deliver a one-year programme of school food transformation in eight primary, secondary and SEND schools across Birmingham. The programme supports schools to create food environments that prioritise children’s nutrition, wellbeing and long-term health. 
 
The expansion follows more than five years of delivery in London, where Nourish has reached over 35,000 children and young people in 108 schools, helping to strengthen school food provision from breakfast to after-school clubs. 
 
The programme comes at an important time for Birmingham. The city is home to one of the youngest populations in Europe, with more than 259,000 children aged 15 and under. Yet significant challenges remain. Around 40 per cent of children in Year 6 are considered overweight or living with obesity (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 2025) – well above the national average – and almost half of Birmingham’s children live in relative poverty (Resolution Foundation, 2024). Schools play a vital role in supporting children’s nutrition and wellbeing. Nourish works alongside schools to strengthen food culture and embed meaningful change. 
 
Over three school terms, schools receive tailored guidance to create a positive food environment across the entire school day, including at breakfast clubs, lunchtimes and after-school programmes, as well as through food education in the classroom. Students, staff and families are involved throughout, helping schools build lasting change that reflects their community. 
 
Georgie Branch, Nourish Programme Manager at School Food Matters, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing Nourish to Birmingham. Over the past five years in London, we’ve seen how improving school food environments can make a real difference to children’s wellbeing and their relationship with food. This expansion allows us to build on that experience, working with schools and local partners to create food cultures that support all children to thrive.” 
 
The introduction of Nourish in Birmingham forms part of the Birmingham Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-2030 and the Birmingham Food System Strategy. Both set out a clear ambition to give children the best start in life, reduce health inequalities and ensure access to sufficient, affordable and nutritious food in every community in the city. By strengthening school food provision, embedding food education and supporting schools to build positive food cultures, Nourish contributes directly to these priorities. 
 
Sally Burns, Director of Public Health, Birmingham City Council, said:  “Through the Birmingham Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2022-2030, we are investing in initiatives that support children and families to live well. Nourish aligns closely with our ambition to reduce health inequalities by improving the environments that shape children’s daily lives, including the food they access at school.” 
 
In addition to Birmingham, Nourish has also been funded in Cheshire West and Chester, Cumberland, Hertfordshire and Rural Lancashire, supporting its continued expansion beyond London.