In September 2025 the government made changes to the Early Years Foundation Stage nutrition guidance. At St John’s we like to encourage healthy eating in school. Therefore, we have decided to adopt these changes and apply them to the whole school. Below you can find some suggestions for healthy lunchbox ideas based on the principles of the The Eatwell Guide - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

Starchy foods

• This can include potatoes, bread, pasta, rice, couscous, wraps, pitta and chapatti. Where possible wholegrain varieties should be chosen, e.g. wholemeal bread and leave skins on potatoes.

Fruit and vegetables

• Include 1-2 portions and vary these throughout the week.
• You could add sliced vegetables into a pasta dish or sandwich.
• You could also include packs of chopped fresh fruits or individual packs of dried fruits.

Protein

• Use beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other sources of protein as sandwich fillings or in a salad.
• If you’re not including a dairy food in the main lunch item (e.g. in a salad or sandwich), add a yogurt or some cheese, such as a Cheddar stick, to the lunchbox.
• If you’re including a dairy alternative, e.g. soya yogurt or milk, choose varieties which are unsweetened and fortified with calcium.

Include a drink

• Healthy options include water, semi-skimmed or 1% milk.
• It is the parents/carers’ responsibility to provide a clear drinking bottle for their child with fresh drinking water every day.

Snacks and healthier treats

• Whole or sliced fruit. Grapes/cherry tomatoes must be cut lengthwise not widthways to prevent chocking.
• Vegetable sticks, e.g. celery, carrot, pepper, cucumber. Some vegetables are naturally baton shaped which can save you time preparing, for example, sugar snap peas and baby corn.
• Bag of plain popcorn.
• Bread sticks.
• Rice or corn cakes.

Many families like to celebrate their child’s birthday and other special events by bringing in a cake or sweets to school to share. This can mean that some children are eating these unhealthy foods several times a week. We have made the decision at St John's that we will no longer be able to allow children to bring sweets to give out to their friends.

It is the parents/carers’ responsibility to provide a clear drinking bottle for their child with fresh drinking water every day.

Did You Know? Milk is the ideal drink for your child and for many it’s absolutely free. You can order and pay for subsidised milk here  https://coolmilk.com/parents/

About Local Food Links

Local food links have been making delicious and nutritious school lunches since 2006.  Meals are freshly prepared every day in local kitchens using great quality ingredients that are locally sourced wherever possible.

To find out more about Local Food links visit www.localfoodlinks.org.uk

How much do meals cost?

School lunches are FREE for all children in Reception, Year 1 and 2 (and some older children whose families receive financial support).  Meals are £2.80 for children in Year 3 and above.

There is a choice of 3 main course options every single day, followed by a pudding or piece of fruit.

How to order

To order online, register your details at https://my.localfoodlinks.org.uk/login . You will need to obtain a 10 digit unique activation code from the school office for each child, and you will then be able to order school meals online.

When can I order, change or cancel meals?

You are able to order and manage your meals online but be aware that Local Food Links require 7 days' notice to order, change or cancel any meal.

Please click on Parent Guide below for food links useful leaflet giving step by step instructions on how to order

What about Food allergies/Special Dietary requirements

Food links give full details of ingredients, dish by dish, within the online ordering system.  Simply click on any meal choice to bring up the list of ingredients.  Most common allergens are also marked on the menus and on a spreadsheet available on the Local Food Links website under the 'for parents' section. 

Please contact Barry Dovell on  01308 428921 or email barry.dovell@localfoodlinks.org.uk if you wish to discuss your child’s individual dietary requirements. 

Who can get free school meals?

Your child automatically gets free school meals if they are in

• Reception Class
• Year 1
• Year 2

From 1 September 2026, all children with a parent or carer receiving Universal Credit will be eligible for Free School Meals.

There will be 2 levels of eligibility: targeted free school meals and expanded free school meals.

Targeted free school meals for families who get:

• Universal Credit and earn less than £7,400 per year
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• the guarantee element of Pension Credit
• households with families with no recourse to public funds (NRPF)

Families in the Targeted group may be able to access further related benefits. For example, pupil premium and free holiday activities and food (HAF) programme.

Expanded free school meals are for families receiving Universal Credit with earnings over £7,400 per year. They cover free school meals only.

How to apply

You will need your National Insurance number and details of your universal credit claim, and you can make an application here: 

Why this matters?

Registering for Free School Meals ensures:

• Your child can receive a free, nutritious meal each school day
• The school may receive additional funding to support learning, resources and wellbeing
• Access to additional programmes and support where eligible

Universal Infant Free School Meals

Currently, pupils in reception, year 1 and year 2 are entitled to a free school meal thanks to a different government funding scheme known as universal infant free school meals (UIFSM). You shouldn’t confuse UIFSM with free school meals and the pupil premium.

However, if you feel you receive any of the qualifying benefits that can be found here, please still apply for free school meals. This will ensure additional support for your child.