The Role of School Business Leaders in Combating Food Poverty

As school business leaders, you want to ensure every child has the nourishment they need to succeed, both in the classroom and in life. Here’s how to take action to combat food poverty

CREDIT: This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared on EPI

A new report examines food poverty among young children, specifically those under five, evaluating the effectiveness of current national policies while also considering lessons from local initiatives and international approaches.

The first five years of a child’s life are critical for development and have lasting impacts on future outcomes. Food poverty during this period is linked to a range of negative effects, including poorer physical health (such as obesity and tooth decay) and worse mental health and behavioural outcomes.

At present, only children attending maintained nurseries and school-based nurseries are eligible for free meals if they meet income and benefits-based eligibility criteria, and the child attends both before and after lunch. Many children, however, attend other types of early years settings where free meals are not mandated for low-income families.

A Growing Problem

The government is set to release a child poverty strategy in Spring 2025, which should address food poverty among families with children under five. In line with recommendations from charitable organisations, key measures such as abolishing the Two-Child Limit, lifting the benefit cap and introducing an Essentials Guarantee would ensure families on social security benefits have enough income to meet their basic needs, including access to sufficient food.

Food poverty has a significant negative impact on education, often leading to poorer cognitive development, and hindering skills in areas like mathematics and vocabulary. Students experiencing food insecurity may struggle with concentration, energy levels and overall school performance.

Recognising the subtle indicators, such as students regularly arriving without lunch, showing signs of fatigue or irritability, or lacking focus during lessons, is essential to provide the appropriate support.

SBLs should be aware that families with children under five are particularly vulnerable to food poverty, as they often face higher levels of financial strain. However, the rising cost of living in recent years has exacerbated the situation, with food prices seeing steep increases. This has had a disproportionate impact on low-income households.

Assisting Families in Need

To counter this, SBLs should provide clear, accessible information regarding the school’s meal policies and available financial assistance programs. One important initiative is the Free Early Years Meals (FEYM) programme, which offers free meals to eligible children under five. Many families may be unaware of such support, so it’s important for SBLs to actively communicate how to apply and ensure that all eligible families are encouraged to access this benefit.

Beyond just informing families, SBLs can work to streamline the process for accessing support, ensuring that application forms and procedures are easy to navigate. This could include offering guidance on how to apply for free school meals and signposting additional sources of financial support. It is also essential to ensure families are aware of the assistance programs in place, such as food banks or local charities that can provide emergency food supplies.

Addressing food poverty in schools requires a compassionate and sensitive approach to ensure no child goes without lunch. It’s crucial that efforts to combat food poverty are approached in a way that maintains the dignity of families, ensuring that all children, regardless of their circumstances, have access to healthy meals and the opportunity to succeed.