Nourish programme sets roadmap for stronger school food policy

Charity School Food Matters has released learnings from its school food improvement programme, Nourish, and has formed a roadmap to success for school food policy. 

This year, the government is investing in universal primary breakfast clubs, expanded free school meals and the review of the school food standards this year. 
 
To date, Nourish has reached more than 35,000 children and young people across seven London boroughs, supporting schools to create food environments that put children’s nutrition first. Building on its success in London, the programme will be expanded to Hertfordshire, Birmingham and Cumberland in 2026. 
 
The 2015 school food standards were dubbed mandatory, yet the lack of reporting accountability has failed to consistently deliver improved nutrition to school children. Nourish was designed to bridge the gap between ambition and reality. An independent evaluation of the programme shows how practical support and consistent monitoring can turn national ambition into lasting change. 
 
The evaluation highlights that, in busy and resource-constrained school settings, expert guidance, clear expectations and robust monitoring are needed to help schools make positive changes that benefit children’s health, wellbeing and learning. 
 
Stephanie Slater MBE, founder/chief executive, School Food Matters, said:  “By working alongside schools, rather than adding pressure, Nourish provides a practical, proven way to improve food quality and culture - turning standards and investment into real, everyday improvements for children. 
 
“This government has set a bold ambition for school food. We urge them to seize this crucial opportunity to enact real change that delivers for children, starting with revised standards, robust monitoring and genuine accountability.” 
 
Jamie Oliver, chef and child health campaigner, said: "This robust evaluation of the Nourish programme, across 108 schools and more than 35,000 children over five years, proves without doubt the positive impact delicious and nutritious school food has on our kid's happiness, health and capacity to learn. If you nourish their stomachs, you nourish their minds."  
 
Baroness Rosie Boycott, former chair of the London Food Board and Member of the House of Lords, said: “We know that strong food policy can transform lives, but only if it is properly implemented and monitored. Nourish shows that with the right support for senior leaders and catering teams, school food can deliver real benefits and set children up to thrive. This evidence must be used to build a healthier, fairer and more sustainable school food system that works for every child in every school.” 
 
Key recommendations call for clear standards, that progress is monitored and that school food is treated as a whole school priority. It also calls for more local coordination with local authorities or dedicated school food support roles.