Breakfast Clubs: A Yorkshire based Review

This report on school breakfast clubs is based on primary school observations within one of the FixOurFood projects, where researchers visit, observe and engage with staff and students through participatory research, leadership interviews and focus groups. It provides an understanding of how breakfast clubs are delivered, what sorts of foods are provided and the constraints and benefits of delivery.

Food Procurement and Provision in Early Years Settings: A Yorkshire Case Study

Our latest study found a strong desire within Early Years settings to provide local Yorkshire food, but stakeholders cited cost, funding, and logistics as significant barriers. Procurement rules in state-maintained settings often prioritised cost over quality, hindering the use of local suppliers. Additionally, there was a lack of leadership, resources, and accountability for Early Years nutrition within local authorities. While the school food system has more established structures and opportunities for dynamic procurement, the Early Years sector is more fragmented, with fewer entry points for change. Despite challenges, positive examples such as dedicated nursery chefs and non-governmental organisations showed potential for improvement in local food procurement.

Watch a recent webinar with Dayna Brackley, Bremner & Co and Prof. Maria Bryant, FixOurFood

Supporting auto-enrolment for free school meals across Yorkshire

Sheffield have had huge success with auto-enrolment leading to a significant uptake in free school meals in the area; thus directly supporting individual children suffering regular food insecurity.

We are working with Sheffield to encourage other areas of Yorkshire to do the same.  We have met with the Department of Public Health and many Local Authorities to progress this and prove the benefits of auto-enrolment to the UK.

Driven Holiday Activities and Food extension funding through UKRI

More children from disadvantaged backgrounds who regularly suffer food insecurity are able to receive free healthy food and critical learning opportunities during the holidays.

Read our evaluation of the Holiday Activities and Food programme written with our partners at The Food Foundation

Leaders for Change

We are working with young people across Yorkshire schools as part of our Leaders for Change programme. We provide opportunities and support for young voices both within school and through opportunities within York University

School Observation days

Through our school observation days we have found that schools need more time, more resource and mandated policies. No two schools are the same and most want to improve their food provision.

We have also witnessed many positive changes in schools. However schools are challenged by conflicting priorities and have to go above and beyond in order to deliver, due to time pressures.

If you are interested in hosting an observation day at your school get in touch at fixourfoodinschools@york.ac.uk

Trained 50 citizen scientists across 11 schools

We have a large cohort with greater understanding of the link between food and climate change who are passionate about taking the message to a wider schools’ audience

Transforming food culture in Yorkshire’s schools and early years settings report

In 2022, FixOurFood carried out a survey and workshops with a diverse range of students, practitioners and researchers involved in school food in Yorkshire. The Three Horizons practice was used to understand current challenges, desired futures, and critical actions needed to support transformation. We have summarised the discussions and actions raised during this process in a report: Transforming food culture in Yorkshire’s schools and early years settings