Chair of PSC Alliance Jayne Jones supports ‘Follow the Carrot’ report
The report revealed that expanding to universal school meals could be a ‘game-changer’ for both children and British farming, increasing the number of meals served each year from one billion to 1.54 billion.
Jones commented: “It's important that any investment in public food works hard and delivers positive outcomes for our children and young people.
“This research demonstrates that investing well in our school meals service can deliver multiple food systems benefits for children and young people's health, for our farming communities and for climate action. This is the right moment to support our catering staff and infrastructure to ensure that these benefits can be built on as an investment in the future of our young people and our services.”
The surge in demand could bring a £600 million boost to British agriculture by sourcing more local produce like carrots, potatoes, and broccoli. With Government support, this expansion can promote sustainable food systems, meet public sector targets for local sourcing and create long-term benefits for children, farmers, and the wider economy.
The ‘Follow the Carrot’ report has received widespread support from across the foodservice industry:
Henry Dimbleby: “If we are to shift the national diet to include more veg and beans, school kitchens are the place to begin. Expand free school meals and buy well; we’ll nourish children, normalise better diets and support British producers.”
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall: “This is a golden opportunity to nourish our children with good, wholesome British food while giving our farmers the boost they desperately need. Expanding free school meals isn’t just about filling plates, it’s about filling them with fresh, sustainable, home-grown produce that supports children’s health and strengthens our farming economy. With the right investment and leadership, we can turn 540 million extra school meals into a win-win for kids, farmers and the planet.”
Derek Wright: “We’re now using British potatoes in the mash – no more frozen imports. We’ve stripped out additives and palm oil and reinvested the savings into our workforce. It’s healthier for children, better for farmers, and smarter for local economies.”