Chair of the APPG, Sharon Hodgson MP, said: “There is clear need for a full and thorough investigation into what needs to happen for school food to operate sustainably for the years to come.
“Companies collapsing because of the insurmountable pressure is not acceptable, while we hear too often from young people that they are being served poor quality food at minuscule portion sizes from some actors that should know better.
“So today I can say that we have the full intention of pushing forward with an inquiry into school food in England. There is no better time for the Department for Education (DfE) to make gains on the appetite within central government for good quality school food that is accessible to all.
“We want to work as closely as possible with the minister and the DfE to ensure that our schoolchildren get healthy and nutritious food, and we support those who make that possible.”
As well as an independent advisory board, she said the inquiry would call witnesses from all areas of the APPG, including headteachers, caterers – both local authority and contractors – non-governmental organisations (NGOs), experts, academics, pupils, and industry representatives.
The aim was to ensure the inquiry had a complete picture of what is going on in the school meals system and how it might be fixed.
She said she would be meeting the DfE minister ‘in the coming weeks’ and intended to share the APPG’s outline for an inquiry.
Sharon added: “I hope we can come to agreement that there is common ground and significant gains to be made on all sides.
“And I hope we can work with the minister to ensure that it is not our schoolchildren who suffer when budgets are squeezed and quality isn’t monitored.”
The next APPG on School Food meeting is scheduled for April 21.