Michael Hales has been appointed the new chair of the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA). More recently he’s been shining a light on the crisis in school meal funding here in the UK. On the ground, schools are striving to serve students the most nutritious meals possible. Yet, they are under increasing challenge to justify how much government should provide versus the increasing costs of these vital services.
Hales highlighted what she sees as the colossal task ahead of schools. They will need to work hard to bridge the gap between government provision for free meals and what it actually costs to serve every pupil a meal. This challenge has taken on new urgency as inflation and grocery costs have skyrocketed, exacerbating tight budgets.
This followed government plans to expand access to free school meals, a policy Hales celebrated. He stated, “The expansion of free school meals is welcome,” acknowledging the positive impact it could have on children from low-income families. He warned that unless there was a lot more money, schools wouldn’t be able to make the required changes in a meaningful way.
The Department for Education (DfE) described the government’s initiative as a “historic step to tackle the stain of child poverty.” This poignant statement highlights the key role in ensuring students, especially those that suffer from the effects of economic distress, are well-nourished.
In his new role, Hales hopes to raise awareness about the need for stronger assistance to school meal programs. He wants to make more funding available and equitable for schools. Ongoing assistance is crucial to enable them respond to all students’ nutritional needs while upholding strict standards of quality and safety in food preparation.
The recent expansion of free school meals is a major step in the right direction. It comes with an enormous caveat on what schools will do regarding the logistical, fiscal, and many other challenges that lie ahead. Despite the challenges, Hales is hopeful that continued cooperation among state and federal agencies and local governments can identify the best solutions.
