Where can I find out more about free school meals?

Everything you need to know if you work with families who may qualify

Case Study St Luke's Primary School, Newham

Families on low incomes can qualify for free school meals for their children. See the current eligibility criteria and find out how to apply, or find information on free school meals and the Government's Universal Credit Pathfinder.

For many children, their free school lunch can be the only full meal they eat in a day. But too many pupils who would qualify are either not registered to have their free meal, or choose not to eat it. If you’re a teacher, governor, caterer, parent or if you work in a local authority, there are lots of ways you can help:

Download our Free School Meals Matter Toolkit – this is packed full of practical tips, advice and promotional tools. Some resources are available in a range of languages
Get the basics in our quick guide
Sign up to the Learning Network, our hub for training and information on healthy children’s food. Register for our specialist one-day training – learn how to overcome the barriers preventing families in your schools from registering for free school meals
Talk to our experts
Use the buttons below to read about ideas we love for encouraging more families to take up their free school meals

hub for training and information on healthy children’s food.