This policy brief shows how improving the quality of food leads to more children eating school food and demonstrates that this is what young people need. The briefing brings together two powerful bodies of evidence to make that case. First, the experiences and voices of young people themselves - what they are currently being served, why it matters to them, and what they want to change. Second, case studies from schools across the country that have already transformed what they serve - going further and faster on healthy food than current standards require. The result of these changes has been more children eating school meals, not fewer. Across every school studied, making food healthier increased uptake - in some cases from as low as 28% to as high as 90%.
Better food is more popular food. We also take a deep dive on beans as this is an area where there is huge potential to make school food healthier and more sustainable.