Where next for children’s food provision?

This webinar launched the final report of Birgitta Rabe and Angus Holford’s Nuffield Foundation-funded project on the impacts of the Universal Infant Free School Meals (UIFSM) policy, and brought together researchers, practitioners and policymakers to debate how school or public provision of food to children should be developed in the UK. Drawing on recent research, the panel considered:

• Is universal rather than means-tested provision the right model? The National Food Strategy proposes extending means-tested FSM to children of all Universal Credit recipients. Is there a case for rolling out universal provision within certain schools or local authorities, or to more year-groups?
• What is the future for holiday provision, how should it be delivered, and who should be eligible? For example, can Holiday Activity and Food schemes be scaled up? Is there a role for school caterers in providing hampers? Could vouchers be replaced by cash transfers?
• What are the challenges to maintaining the benefits to free school meals in the context of COVID-19?

The webinar chaired by Ruth Maisey, Programme Head in Education at the Nuffield Foundation, featured presentations on three key projects:

• Research on the Impact of the Universal Infant Free School Meal Policy
• Research from the Food Foundation’s Online Survey of School Meals.
• Research on the effectiveness of targeted benefits for improving dietary choices.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to get in touch with Molly Imrie, Events & Communications Officer (mimrie@nuffieldfoundation.org)