MS, Cabinet Secretary for
Education: Today I am announcing the launch of a public
consultation that will gather views and help inform our approach
to school food.
In Wales our school food offer reflects our understanding of the
importance good food plays in supporting learning, reducing
health inequalities and helping children thrive. Evidence tells
us that these outcomes are maximised when the food offered is
nutritious, aligned with dietary advice, and when learners are
supported to understand healthy eating and drinking and develop
lifelong healthy eating habits.
That's why we're updating the school food Regulations and
Guidance based on the latest UK Government dietary
recommendations and best practice, and working with young people,
parents, caterers, schools, suppliers, local producers, health
professionals, Welsh Local Government Association and Public
Health Wales to ensure that every child in Wales has access to a
balanced diet at school.
This work will take place in stages, starting with gathering
views on updated food requirements and nutritional standards in
primary schools. With all primary learners in maintained schools
now able to access a free lunch, and many able to benefit from
the offer of a free breakfast, we have an important opportunity
to help ensure the food they are receiving in schools provides a
significant proportion of their daily nutrient
requirements.
For secondary schools, the landscape is more complex. Much has
changed since Regulations were first introduced in 2013. There is
increased learner choice, more grab-and-go options, and a range
of eating patterns across the school day. Reflecting this, we are
issuing a call for evidence to better understand these settings
before developing specific proposals.
For both stages of education though, we recognise the importance
of the promotion of healthy eating and drinking so that learners
are better supported to develop lifelong healthy eating habits.
We are therefore asking for views on strengthened guidance for
local authorities and governing bodies on delivering their duties
to promote healthy eating and drinking.
The consultation launching today is seeking views on:
- The draft Healthy Eating in Schools (Nutritional Standards
and Requirements) (Maintained Primary Schools) (Wales)
Regulations (the draft Regulations) and the supporting draft
statutory guidance for local authorities and governing bodies of
maintained primary schools
- Guidance on the provision of medically prescribed and other
dietary requirements
- The statutory guidance for local authorities and governing
bodies on delivering their duties to promote healthy eating and
drinking
- How we can achieve a nutritionally balanced and appealing
food offer in secondary schools
Over time, our proposed evidence-based changes aim to:
- Improve access to healthier school food
- Help children develop healthy eating habits which last a
lifetime
- Provide appropriate portion sizes for infants and juniors
- Support schools to implement the new regulations flexibly
We also recognise the valuable role Welsh farmers play in
providing sustainable, local food and remain committed to
ensuring more local, Welsh food on school plates. Since
introducing universal primary free school meals, and with the
support of Welsh Government project funding and collaborative
public procurement approaches, local authority spend on Welsh
food has more than doubled since 2021.
We want to build on this momentum and welcome views on how the
delivery of school meals in the context of our proposed changes
to Regulations and Guidance can continue to offer further
opportunities for Wales' food economy.
The consultation will run from 20 May to 29 July 2025 and will be
available on the Welsh Government
website. I encourage all those with an interest in food,
children's health and education to participate in this important
consultation.
Following the consultation period, we intend to lay the updated
regulations before the Senedd in December 2025, with them coming
into force during 2026-27.
We understand the practical challenges schools and local
authorities face in delivering high-quality food every day.
That's why we'll continue to work with them to support the
practical implementation of any changes.
Working together, we can create school food requirements and
nutritional standards that work for everyone - supporting our
children's health today and for their future.
