Tom Kerridge calls for extension of free school meals

Chef Tom Kerridge has called for the extension of free school meal eligibility to every child who is on Universal Credit.

There are still 800,000 children living in poverty who do not meet the current criteria to receive free school meals, according to the Child Poverty Action Group.

This week Kerridge cooked for the students at Torridon Primary School in Lewisham as part of a Full Time Meals takeover event organised in collaboration with education caterer Chartwells, part of Compass Group UK & Ireland.

The Full Time Meals campaign was founded by Kerridge and seeks to implement nutritious free school meals for children across the UK.

The event at Torridon Primary School was designed to raise awareness about the need to extend free school meal eligibility, while also recognising the work of education catering teams.

Kerridge said: “Too often school food gets a bad reputation...with the cost-of-living crisis, the school food system is a fantastic way to feed the vulnerable children who are slipping through the cracks.

"Data shows that 800,000 children living in poverty do not qualify for free school meals, this needs to be addressed with the extension of free school meals provided to every child who is on Universal Credit.”

Manda George, head teacher of Torridon Primary School, added: “Healthy, nutritious food is so important to support children’s learning and I hope that the Full Time Meals campaign will help make a difference and end child food poverty once and for all.”

Raheem Morgan, Chartwells’ chef at Torridon Primary, said: “I’m incredibly proud to work as a school caterer, feeding the future generation, and hopefully inspiring them to enjoy cooking at home.”