Time to Raise the Bar on Free School Meals, Say British Berry Growers

British Berry Growers (BBG) is calling on the UK government to introduce minimum nutritional standards for free school meals, warning that current offerings too often lack essential vitamins and fresh ingredients.

The trade body, which represents the interests of the UK’s soft fruit sector, said that now is the time for government action to ensure that every child has access to a healthy, balanced meal at school.

Their proposed solution? Clear nutritional criteria that include fresh, home-grown fruit such as berries — an affordable, nutrient-rich option that supports both children’s wellbeing and British farming.

The call comes in response to growing concern that free school meals are not delivering on their potential. According to BBG, many contain ultra-processed foods and fall short of promoting long-term health. In contrast, berries are packed with vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants, and can be easily integrated into breakfast, lunch or dessert options.

“Schools should not be offering breakfasts high in sugar,” BBG said in a statement. “There should be minimum nutritional standards that school meals should meet.”

The findings also revealed that children are not meeting the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables on most days of the week, whether they eat at home or at school.

Parents surveyed admitted their children skip breakfast nearly seven times per month on average, and 88 per cent expressed concern about how much sugar their children are consuming in their daily diets.

BBG believes that setting a higher baseline for school food will tackle diet-related inequalities, improve children’s health outcomes, and foster a stronger connection between young people and British-grown fresh produce.