Primary Schools In England Are Serving Less Meat To Cut Costs

English primary schools are struggling to stay within their catering budgets and are serving less meat to cut costs. The government allocates £2.41 per child for meals, but rising supplier costs have forced caterers to reduce portion sizes and meat content in menu items. Conservative MP Steve Brine highlighted the funding gap between costs and government allocations, with some schools having to cover shortfalls from their own budgets.

The reduction in meat content in school meals is concerning, particularly for children from underprivileged households who rely on free meals for proper nourishment. While there are discussions about reducing costs by switching to plant-based menus, most schools have not explored this option. ProVeg, a food advocacy group, is promoting the “School Plates” initiative to help schools transition to vegan meals for the benefit of children’s health, the environment, and education budgets.