On 1st April 2025, a quiet but far-reaching change came into effect: the end of transitional protections for free school meals (FSM). Over the next six years, an estimated 500,000 – 550,000 children in England currently on FSM will no longer receive them — children who had previously been shielded from sudden eligibility changes due […]
A quarter of all those on free school meals set to lose out? Read More »
The Felix Project, London’s largest food redistribution charity, tackles the UK’s dual challenges of food waste and hunger. In 2024, it redistributed the equivalent of 38 million meals, collecting surplus food from manufacturers and retailers to support community organisations. Seeking to understand the impact of its food redistribution, The Felix Project commissioned Bremner & Co
Understanding the reach of redistribution: an impact evaluation Read More »
Bremner & Co, with colleagues from FixOurFood, are accepted for publication in Public Health Nutrition. We’re excited to share that our work on free school meals auto-enrolment has just been published in the Public Health Nutrition journal! It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how close we are to solving a
Auto-enrolment of free school meals – A ‘No Brainer’? Read More »
Tower Hamlets became the first borough in the UK to extend Universal Free School Meals (UFSM) to both primary and secondary school students in 2022. Evidence indicates UFSM can address food insecurity, reduce stigma associated with means-tested Free School Meals, and tackle child hunger. In Tower Hamlets, a borough where 48% of children live in
Pioneering a school food initiative: understanding impact through lived experience Read More »
Early years nutrition is the foundation of lifelong health, yet for too long it has been overlooked in government-led food strategy, both nationally and locally. While school food has progressed, support for nurseries remains lacking. However, as seen in the London borough of Newham, local authorities can take the lead in driving meaningful change for
The Key Role of Local Authorities in Early Years Nutrition Read More »
On January 14th, we hosted the “More Than a Meal: Evaluating Universal Free School Meals in London” webinar, and it was an incredible experience. Bringing together experts, academics, local government, policymakers, and practitioners, we explored the findings of Impact on Urban Health’s evaluation report on universal primary free school meals (UPFSM) in London. The topic
Reflecting on the “More Than a Meal” Webinar: Insights and Impact Read More »
