May 2010 This document summarises the main findings from a portfolio of research which is relevant to the comparison of school lunches and packed lunches and presents supporting evidence from other sources.
Findings from intervention studies and nationally representative, cross sectional studies undertaken by both the Trust and the Food Standards Agency, and other sources provide evidence that the food quality and the lunchtime nutrient intakes of primary and secondary school children are superior when school lunches are eaten compared to packed lunches.
Food and drink items high in fat, sugar and salt (i.e., those items restricted or prohibited by the standards for school lunches) were found to be common in packed lunches brought by children, especially those from low-income households.
These findings support the ongoing work of the Trust to promote the take up of school meals. They also demonstrate the widening gap between the quality and nutritional profile of school meals and packed lunches.
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