According to caterers, rising food prices have led to a reduction in beef on school dinner menus. Potatoes and staples like potatoes are also less expensive.
Some caterers are now using cheaper imported meats and have changed the variety of fruit and vegetables they offer.
Laca, the association of school caterers in England and Wales, stated that the quality of food was at risk.
The government of England has increased funding for school meals for children under five years old.
Laira Green Primary School, Plymouth, used to serve local Cornish beef as its Thursday roast dinners, but it has since switched to gammon, which is a more affordable alternative.
You will see less chicken on the menu, so you can replace it with cheaper turkey.
Nearly 70 schools are served by the same caterer, which is constantly changing their menus to reflect rising prices.
Bernadette Kennedy, head teacher, said that she was happy the school still offers a healthy roast meal, but added: “Some children have stopped eating roast dinner. When we asked why, they told us they really enjoyed the Yorkshire pudding and roast beef.”
“It’s a shame, because roast meat offers a lot of vegetables that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to try.
Children love the roast dinner with a courgette croutette as a vegetarian option.
Dylan, in Year 5, had finished his roast dinner and stated that he preferred the potatoes.
He stated that he enjoyed the flavor of the food and vegetables. It fills you up and gives energy.
The school provides free school meals to more than half the students. Teachers say that for some, it may be the only meal they eat each day.
The potatoes are becoming more expensive because their caterer’s Cornish supplier is facing rising fuel and fertiliser costs.
Laca interviewed its members about shortages and costs, and over 160 companies responded.
They are responsible for more than one million pupils’ meals.
More than 60 respondents said that they have switched to British meats from overseas or are considering it.
In this large picture of the effects of rising food costs on school dinners, the most affected were grocery basics like pasta, oil and frozen vegetables.
Many products saw cost increases between 20-30% according to Caterers. Prices also fluctuate weekly.
Laca stated that one catering company reported that 10kg of prepared potato prices rose from PS10.46, to PS15.50 and boxes of 24 eggs went up from PS9.79, to PS13.39.
It said that the cost of minced beef used in lasagne and burgers rose 11% overnight over recent days.
Brad Pearce is the national vice-chairman for Laca. He stated that the long-term effects of Covid, war in Ukraine, and rising fuel prices were having an impact on the amount of school plates his members could use.
Many caterers also struggled to find staff for school kitchens.
Mr. Pearce stated that “the costs that are coming forward make us unable to continue, except some very difficult decisions are made.”
He added that these included buying more processed foods or meat from overseas.
“That’s not something we want to do. But, in order to keep food on our plates we must look at all options.”
Laca members provide 80% school catering services in England and Wales.
Assist FM, which represents Scottish caterers, said that its members have similar concerns.
Rising costs are a result of the fact that parents have to be willing to pay more than they can afford and government funding.
All state school pupils in England from Reception through Year 2 have the right to free school meals during term.
These universal free school meals are paid for by the government at a daily rate of PS2.41 per child. This follows a 7p increase in April and an additional PS18m per year.
Children in England have the right to a free school meal starting at Year 3. Only children from the lowest income families are eligible. The daily rate is currently around PS2.47.
Both child poverty campaigners and school caterers claim that costs are rising faster then funding. This is at a time when hot meals at school have become more important for many families.
The number of English children receiving free school meals has increased to 1.9million this year, an increase of 160,000 since January 2021.
The rising cost of food in Wales may have an impact on funding for ambitious plans to provide a school meal free to all primary school children starting in 2024.
The government’s response to the independent food strategy of England did not address the call for universal credit families to provide hot meals at school to all children.
School meals must adhere to certain food standards. Caterers claim they are still meeting those standards, but it is becoming more difficult. However, they can substitute other foods.
Responding to concerns, the government stated that it had “expanded the access to free school meals more [than any other] government in recent decades”.
“We will continue to review eligibility and work across government in order to address rising cost, building on the PS37bn already announced to assist the most vulnerable.”
