Children in EYFS and KS1 will be provided, daily, with a piece of fruit or vegetable free of charge as part of the National Fruit Scheme.

North Yorkshire School Meals

Our school meals follow a healthy-eating policy.

Our meals are produced freshly every day in a school kitchen from only:

• fresh meat and poultry sourced from the region
• fruit and vegetables sourced regionally where possible using local suppliers
• products free from additives associated with health problems in young children
• fats free from hydrogenated oils
• with menus that are nutritionally balanced

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/education-and-learning/free-school-meals 

Free School Meals

Free school meals eligibility has changed from September 2026

The Department for Education has extended the entitlement to free school meals to include all children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, regardless of household income. Although eligibility will be granted to all Universal Credit recipients, it is important to note that families do still need to apply to receive the meals. However, if your child is already registered for free school meals you do not have to apply. The transitional protection that was in place while Universal Credit was rolled out has now ended.

You could save around £500 on school meals for your child. School meals can also save you time and provide peace of mind that your child is enjoying a healthy, fresh, and nutritious meal at lunchtime.

A pupil is only eligible to receive free school meals where both:

• the parent or carer has applied for free school meals
• their eligibility has been checked and confirmed by the school where they are enrolled or by the local authority

Free school meals are available to pupils in receipt of, or whose parents are in receipt of, one or more of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

Households may also be entitled to a meal if they:

• are in receipt of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit
• meet criteria set out in separate guidance for families with no recourse to public funds

Following the eligibility changes, there are now two types of free school meals criteria:

• targeted free school meals
• expanded free school meals

Targeted free school meals

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit with annual household earnings of £7,400 or less (the existing threshold for free school meals prior to the expansion), will be eligible for targeted free school meals.

In addition to receiving free meals, pupils eligible for targeted free school meals will attract pupil premium and other disadvantage funding for their schools, as well as other education entitlements, such as the holiday activities and food programme (HAF/ FEAST).

Expanded free school meals

Children from households in receipt of Universal Credit, with annual household earnings exceeding £7,400, will be entitled to expanded free school meals (meals only).

Universal infant free school meals

Children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to be entitled to free meals, regardless of the earnings or benefit status of their households. However if you also qualify for any of the financial support for targeted free school meals, we encourage you to complete our online form as this could enable your child's school to claim the Pupil Premium Funding to further support them.

How to apply for free school meals

Further Information provided by North Yorkshire County Council

https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/education-and-learning/free-school-meals