When a school district in England started offering free lunches to all middle and high school students, researchers wanted to know if it actually changed what kids ate. They tracked what 176 students ate before and after the free meal program started. Surprisingly, only a small group of students actually started eating the free school lunches instead of bringing food from home. The study found almost no major changes in what students ate overall, though there were tiny increases in energy and protein at lunchtime for those who switched. The researchers think more time and better communication about the program might help more students take advantage of free meals.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether offering free lunches to all secondary school students (ages 11-16) changed the nutritional quality of what they ate
  • Who participated: 176 eighth-grade students from 5 schools in Tower Hamlets, England—99 students from schools offering free meals and 77 from schools without the program
  • Key finding: Only 19 students actually switched to eating the free school meals. Among those who did switch, there were small increases in energy and protein at lunch, but almost no other changes in overall diet quality
  • What it means for you: Free school meal programs may need time to work and better promotion to actually reach students. Simply offering free meals isn’t enough—schools need to help students and families understand and use the program

The Research Details

Researchers used what’s called a ’natural experiment,’ which means they studied a real-world policy change rather than creating an artificial test situation. They compared students at schools that started offering free meals (intervention schools) with students at schools that didn’t offer them (control schools). Students filled out detailed food diaries for four different school days, recording everything they ate and drank. The researchers then compared what students ate before the free meal program started with what they ate after it began, looking at differences in nutrients like calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals.

This type of study is useful because it shows what actually happens in real schools with real students, rather than in a controlled lab setting. However, it also means the researchers couldn’t control all the factors that might affect eating habits, like how the program was advertised or students’ personal preferences.

Understanding whether free meal programs actually improve student nutrition is important for schools and governments deciding how to spend money on student health. If free meals don’t change what students eat, it might mean the program needs to be designed differently or promoted better. This study provides real-world evidence about whether the policy works as intended.

The study tracked actual student eating habits using a detailed food diary app, which is more accurate than asking students to remember what they ate. However, the study only followed students for a short time after the program started, and very few students actually participated in the free meal program, which makes it hard to see the full effects. The researchers were honest about these limitations and noted that more time and better communication might change the results.

What the Results Show

The biggest surprise was that only 19 out of 99 students at the intervention schools actually switched to eating the free school meals. Most students continued bringing lunch from home or buying food elsewhere. Among the small group who did switch to free meals, researchers found small increases in energy (calories) and protein eaten at lunchtime, but these increases were modest.

When looking at students’ total diet for the entire day, there were almost no meaningful changes in what they ate. This means that even though some students ate more calories and protein at lunch, it didn’t significantly change their overall nutrition for the day. Most students in both intervention and control schools reported having enough food to eat, suggesting food security wasn’t a major issue for this group.

The researchers tested 18 different nutritional measures (like vitamins, minerals, and different types of fats) to see if the free meal program changed them. Only 2 of these 18 measures showed statistically significant changes—energy and protein at lunchtime. This suggests the program had very limited overall impact on student nutrition.

The study found that most students had a mix of different lunch sources—sometimes eating school meals, sometimes bringing food from home, and sometimes buying food elsewhere. This variety in lunch sources made it harder to see clear effects from the free meal program. Additionally, the researchers noted that food security (having enough food to eat) was generally good among students in both the intervention and control schools, which means hunger wasn’t a major problem for these particular students.

Previous research on free meal programs in younger children (primary school age) has shown more positive effects on nutrition. This study suggests that older students (secondary school age) may respond differently to free meal programs, possibly because they have more independence in choosing what to eat. The findings also align with other research showing that simply providing free food doesn’t guarantee people will use it or change their eating habits—how the program is communicated and the environment where eating happens also matter.

The study has several important limitations. First, only a small number of students actually participated in the free meal program, which makes it hard to see what the full effects might be if more students joined. Second, the study only looked at data for a few months after the program started, and it may take longer for students to change their eating habits. Third, the researchers didn’t know exactly how the program was explained to students and families, which could have affected how many people participated. Finally, the study didn’t look at factors like the quality of the food offered or whether the dining environment was appealing, which could influence whether students want to eat the free meals.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, schools considering free meal programs should: (1) Plan for a longer adjustment period before expecting major changes in student eating habits, (2) Invest in clearly communicating the program to students and families, (3) Examine the quality and appeal of meals being offered, and (4) Consider the dining environment and how welcoming it is to students. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study showed limited uptake of the program.

School administrators, policymakers, and parents should care about these findings. Students and families who might benefit from free meals should know that simply offering the program may not be enough—schools need to actively promote it and make sure the meals are appealing. However, this study was done in one specific area of England, so results might be different in other places with different student populations or different ways of running the program.

Don’t expect immediate changes in student nutrition from free meal programs. The researchers suggest waiting at least a full school year or longer to see whether students gradually start using the program more and whether eating habits shift over time. Changes in eating habits typically happen slowly, so patience is important when evaluating new food programs.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track lunch choices daily: Record whether you ate a school meal, brought lunch from home, or bought food elsewhere. Also note one nutritional item from your lunch (like whether it included vegetables, protein, or whole grains). This helps identify patterns in your eating habits over time.
  • If your school offers free meals, try eating one school lunch per week and track how you feel afterward. Notice whether you have enough energy for your afternoon classes and whether you feel satisfied. Gradually increase to two or three times per week if you like the meals, giving yourself time to adjust to new foods.
  • Over a month, track your lunch choices and note any changes in your energy levels, focus in class, or how you feel. Also pay attention to whether you’re trying new foods or eating more vegetables. This long-term tracking helps you see whether the free meal program is actually helping your nutrition and how you feel.

This study provides evidence about one specific free school meal program in England and may not apply to all schools or communities. The findings show limited effects, partly because few students participated in the program during the study period. Before making decisions about school nutrition programs, consider consulting with school nutrition experts, dietitians, and your local school district. This research should not replace professional medical or nutritional advice. If you have concerns about a student’s nutrition or food security, speak with a school counselor, nurse, or healthcare provider.