January 2009 Lessons from Free School Meal initiatives.
The aim of this report is to review aspects of activities relating to trialling FSM in the UK, and specifically:
- to describe the process for claiming free school meals.
- to produce an initiative overview, including aspects of funding by:
- identifying FSM initiatives that have been completed, or are being conducted in the UK
- approaching those involved with the individual initiatives for relevant information
- and summarising the following aspects of the initiatives (where information is available):
- impact on take up
- stigma (e.g. most effective methods to reduce stigma)
- pupils’ views on FSM
- parents’ views on FSM
- aspects of the dining environment
- the impact of FSM on behaviour and learning and general aspects of health
- changes in eating habits, both in school and at home as a – result of the initiative
- changes in children reporting feeling hungry
- FSM versus packed lunches
- understanding barriers to registration
