The 2026 Museums + Heritage Awards celebrated brilliant projects, trailblazing teams, and inspiring individuals who are truly raising the bar for the sector. The exhibition was named Temporary or Touring Exhibition of the Year (budget less than £80,000).
The exhibition aims to take visitors on a journey to explore the past, present and future of school food. It covers nutrition, popular culture, campaigns and Government policies. The exhibition is set to run until 2027.
The judges said: “A simple subject turned into something ground-breaking — equal parts nostalgia and sharp political commentary, foregrounding children's voices to explore poverty, policy and responsibility. This winning exhibition proved that imagination and flair can outshine budget every time.”
The School Food Exhibition will be joining The School Food Show on 7–8th July 2026, celebrating 120 years of free school meals.
As part of this showcase, the exhibition will present a fascinating journey through the history of school meals, exploring how school food has evolved over the decades, from early welfare provision to today’s modern, nutritious school lunches.