The School Food People are the national voice for school caterer across England and Wales, delivering millions of meals every day and turning policy into practice on the ground.
Around 80% of the school catering service in the UK is provided by The School Food People members. With around three million lunches being served every day in 27,000 schools, The School Food People network is the country’s largest provider of school catering.
The event was sponsored by Dr Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West; Emma Lewell MP for South Shields and Amanda Hack, MP for North West Leicestershire.
Sharon Hodgson, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department for Health and Social Care, attended the event. She stated the Government was determined to reduce the childhood obesity epidemic and help raise ‘the healthiest generation of children ever’.
The Great School Lunch was attended by leading figures from the school meals industry including Brad Pearce, chair of The School Food People.
He commented: "The Great School Lunch at the House of Commons is one of our key annual events and gives us the opportunity to show MPs and peers exactly what our incredible teams of chefs do on the frontline each and every school day.
“Today the event took on even more importance with school food being front and centre of much Government and media activity this week; firstly the addition of another 500 schools joining the Government's universal free breakfast programme, secondly the planned roll-out of extended FSM to families on Universal Credit from September and finally, the much awaited publication and consultation for the revised School Food Standards.”
The School meals system is under significant pressure as funding has not kept pace with rising food costs. The current rate in England is £2.61 (rising to £2.66 in 2026/27), which must cover both food and labour. London receives £3, Scotland £3.30 and Wales £3.40.
Food prices have risen 40% since 2020 but the funding has only increased a few percentage points. The impact is already being seen as six caterers have announced they will cease operations including four local authority services.
The School Food People are asking the Government to review the funding rate to £3.45 per meal, index linked, so schools and caterers can deliver hot, healthy and nutritious meals.
For many children a school lunch is their most nutritious meal of the day and in some cases it is their only meal. School meals play a crucial role in supporting attendance, behaviour and attainment ensuring pupils are ready to learn in the classroom.
The School Food People says it welcomes the review of the School Food Standards as well as the focus on heathier meals and reducing processed food. However it says the standards will come with higher costs, particularly around fresh ingredients and labour.
If the funding gap is not addressed there is a risk of parents switching to packed lunches in primary school and secondary students may leave site on lunchtime in search of unhealthier options.
Pearce added: “Talking to those who attended, we were able to share great examples of what we do, stress, once again, the impact of the current economic climate and pressure being placed on providers - specifically around the lack of any meaningful increase in the funding levels for FSM and UIFSM in England and share details of the nine-week consultation window (to 12th June) for the School Food Standards.
“It is important that everyone with an interest and part to play in school food - parent, teacher, governor, caterer, chef, headteacher take time to read the consultation and feed into the process. This is probably the last time for the next decade that we'll have the opportunity to influence. Your voices matter, make them heard, make them count.”
The event was attended by former chairs Judith Gregory, Anita Brown (now Public Sector Catering Alliance chair) and Neil Porter. Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBE, ambassador for The School Food People, was also in attendance alongside vice chair of The School Food People Bryan Lygate.
Tanya, co-founder of The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation the UK's food allergy charity, commented: “I was delighted to attend The School Food People's Great School Lunch 2026. As ambassador for the organisation, I fully support the call to Government to increase funding for school lunches to at least £3.45 a meal.
"Properly funded school meals are vital. If every child can access a meal at school, this helps with their health, concentration and classroom learning - it is investing in their future. School caterers need a long-term funding framework so they can continue to support school children across the UK."
Two primary school pupils and one from a secondary school were in attendance. They were able to tell MPs about their thoughts and experiences of having a modern day school meal.
Five former School Chef of the Year winners were at the event to serve the food and showcase to MPs what a hot, healthy and nutritious school meal looks like. The previous winners included 2025 winner Erin Ward, Jennifer Brown (2024), Rob Chambers (2021), Holly Charnock (2020) and Sharon Armstrong (2004).
There were four main courses to try including Fragrant Kung Pao Chicken, Mild Pea Powered Mixed Bean Chilli, Quiche Lorraine and Roasted Red Pepper & Feta Cheese. For dessert MPs had the chance to try Erin’s award winning ‘Sweetchoes’ dessert as well as Apple & Cinnamon Crumble, Spiced Ginger Cake and Fruit Platter.
The Food was provided by Impact Food Group. Alex Hall from Impact Food Group said the event was a great opportunity to showcase the healthy school meals they provide to children all over the country. BGL Reiber, Harfield and Wigan Council also supported the Great School Lunch event.