Nearly half of children want more options for school dinners

Heinz has released a new guide revealing children's attitudes towards school dinners, with 43% of children polled saying they 'like' their school dinners and 47% wanting more choice.

The Fit 4 Future report features insights from a Onepoll survey of 1,000 children aged between six and 16 and their parents or guardians.

Under half (43%) of school children aged between six and 16 ‘like’ their school lunches, 17% ‘love’ them and nearly one-third (32%) think they’re ‘OK’. When it comes to what children would like to see in their school dinners, 47% want more menu options, 33% want better-quality food, 25% want to try new tastes and flavours from around the world and 20% want more veggie and vegan menu options.

The guide also demonstrates a strong interest in the environment, with more than half (52%) of children polled saying they would like their school to recycle more.

Claire Traynor, head of foodservice UK&I at Kraft Heinz, said: “The guide underlines the opportunity to meet the needs of parents and school children. In line with the National Food Strategy, now is the time to create a food system that restores our health and the environment and ensures all children get the nutrition they need.”

“Heinz is committed to partnering with educational institutes in ongoing research and supporting their food health objectives. The Fit 4 Future research findings will help parents, teachers, and catering decision-makers in schools provide nutritionally balanced and healthy options for children’s school menu choices.”

The Fit 4 Future guide features advice and top tips for schools and can be found here.