To watch the webinar, or read the presentation slides, please find them linked below.
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 couldn’t be more important, especially as the Mayor of London commits to four more years of funding for this policy, and conversations around food security, education equity, and public health, continue to grow.
Key Highlights from the Webinar
The real standout moments of the webinar came from the presentations and the lively Q&A session. Our expert panellists shared insights from the two-part evaluation — one part focusing on lived experiences of children, families, and school communities (presented by Kate Anstey from Child Poverty Action Group and Dr Katharine Vincent from Reconnect London), and the other on the implementation process (presented by Abby Falla from ICF). Their presentations revealed the transformative impact of UPFSM on children, families, schools, and communities, along with the opportunities and challenges of rolling out such an ambitious policy at scale. They were joined by Nikita Sinclair from Impact on Urban Health, and Emma Pawson from the Greater London Authority, who discussed the context of the policy and the commissioning of the evaluation. Each panellist brought valuable perspectives that enriched our understanding of the policy’s real-world impact.
Here’s what those affected by UPFSM had to say:
“I never knew what I was going to get in my lunchbox. I would purposely avoid finding out until lunchtime. Sometimes it was a nice surprise, but most days it wasn’t. I’d always feel embarrassed to show anyone – now I can have school dinners.” – Year 6 pupil
“The head chef is amazing and has enabled us to have a seamless transition to UPFSM. The care they put into every meal they make doesn’t go unnoticed. We can fully trust them.” – Head Teacher
“I think this has been a stressful but very positive experience and I am delighted that it is continuing for another year.” – Head Teacher
“Chasing money was a daily exercise between the parents and office staff. It became more of a debt collector relationship.” – School Staff
The Q&A session brought the event to life. Attendees posed insightful, thought-provoking questions that sparked meaningful discussions. Questions delved into the reasons behind certain evaluation methods, the challenges of scaling the policy to secondary schools, and its long-term implications for health and equity. The depth and breadth of engagement shows just how invested people are in creating equitable and effective school food systems. Here are some examples of the questions our attendees asked:
“Given the [Theory of Change], did you find quantitative changes in household food insecurity, number of children having packed lunches, children’s BMI, educational attainment (with a focus on reading), school attendance and household expenditure?”
“With the Mayor of London now committing to 4 more years of primary school meals funding, what opportunity do you see to attach new conditions of grant to drive continuous improvement in ensuring inclusive, healthy, sustainable food for all children? What would you like to see?”
“You mentioned children saying: ‘I used to hate lunch, now I love lunch’. Do you think we should focus on this, and [on] how to convince policy makers that free school meals [truly] have a ripple effect for school children and their success?”
“Was any new cooking/ kitchen infrastructure established by the GLA or is it scalable through increasing contracts with third party caterers only?”
Key Findings of the Evaluation
We have put together some of the most compelling outcomes of the policy:
- Family Finances: The introduction of UPFSM has provided significant financial relief, particularly for low-income families. Over 84% of parents reported that the policy helped with household budgets, with savings often redirected towards essentials like food, uniforms, and extracurricular activities.
- Health and Well-being: Parents and school staff noted marked improvements in children’s physical and mental health. The stigma previously associated with lunchboxes was addressed, and families reported having more resources to invest in healthier meals at home. Children themselves talked about feeling healthier and having more energy.
- Community and School Life: UPFSM has strengthened the sense of community within schools. Parents reported smoother, less stressful mornings, and teachers observed improved concentration and participation in class.
- Implementation and Equity: Collaboration among boroughs, schools, and caterers is key in addressing the logistical and governance challenges of effective policy implementation. However, the evaluation also identified gaps, particularly in funding and the challenges some schools faced with outdated or inefficient kitchen equipment and lunchtime environments. While UPFSM has expanded access to nutritious meals, more needs to be done to address the specific needs of children with dietary restrictions or cultural preferences.
These findings underline the transformative potential of policies like UPFSM while highlighting areas for improvement to ensure equitable access and sustainability.
Looking Ahead
The evaluation of UPFSM in London underlines the importance of continued collaboration. Successful implementation of a policy such as this needs a strong interdisciplinary coalition from government to school communities. The cross-sector engagement in our webinar echoes this need. Policymakers, educators, and community stakeholders must work together to address gaps and ensure that every child benefits fully from policies like UPFSM. This collective effort will be key to achieving lasting change.
Call to Action
This webinar reaffirmed the incredible potential of universal free school meals. But there’s still so much work to do to make policies like this better and more accessible. We encourage you to read the evaluation report, join the conversation, and advocate for fairer food systems. Together, we can make sure every child has access to the nutritious meals they deserve.
Stay connected with us and keep an eye out for our future events. Let’s keep pushing for change!