York Free School Meals Pilot to expand to second school thanks to community fund donations

An ambitious scheme to pilot free school meals for children in York will be rolled out to a second school next term, thanks to donations to the York Community Fund’s York Hungry Minds Appeal.

A pilot providing free breakfasts to all children at Burton Green Primary School, York, will start in early 2024.

The pilot has been made possible thanks to significant donations to the appeal from the Persimmon Charitable Foundation and the Sylvia and Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust.

The breakfast offer will run alongside a pilot providing free school lunches to Key Stage 2 children (Years 3-6) at Westfield Community Primary School from January - December 2024, which is being funded by City of York Council as part of its commitment to work towards York becoming an anti-poverty city.

Evidence suggests that Universal Free School Meals both support children’s ability to learn and reduce health inequalities between disadvantaged children and their peers.

Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said,

“Tackling disadvantage and supporting all our residents during the cost-of-living crisis was a manifesto commitment for the administration and has now been enshrined in the Council Plan, One City for all. 

"That contains a commitment to becoming an anti-poverty city, including supporting young people and families, through reducing food insecurity and exploring the benefits of free school meals for all primary school children. I’m delighted that, thanks to some truly generous donations, we’re able to start to meet what is an absolute priority for the council and roll out the free school meals pilot to a second school in York."

Cllr Bob Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said,

"Seeing our partners come together in this way to provide support to the city's commitments, and to the futures of our children is truly inspirational and I thank those who have been so quick to step up and make this initial work happen. 

"We know that there are real benefits for our children of these measures, in terms of attendance, attention to learning and in terms of physical and mental wellbeing. And while there is more to do to make this happen in all of our schools, this is a significant step in the right direction, and I am thankful to everyone who is involved in making this work." 

Tracy Davison, Trustee of the Persimmon Charitable Foundation, said,

“We are delighted to be able to support York Hungry Minds with a £20,000 donation from the Persimmon Charitable Foundation.

“The free school meals project at Burton Green Primary School will undoubtedly have a positive impact on children in the local community and provide helpful support to families who need it.

“I am looking forward to seeing the initiative in full flow next year and I am confident it will be a success.

“Research suggests that when a child regularly consumes a nutritious breakfast this has a positive effect on their performance in school. As such, we hope our support of this project allows pupils at Burton Green Primary school to further their development in a positive manner.”

A representative of the Sylvia and Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust said,

“We are delighted to support such a worthwhile initiative that can make a real difference in the education of our young children in the city.”

Celia McKeon, Chief Executive of Two Ridings Community Foundation, said,

“This is an excellent start to the Hungry Minds Appeal, which Two Ridings is pleased to support through the York Community Fund. We hope it will also inspire other donors in the city to contribute and enable the scheme to be extended and support more children.”

Karen Forrester, Trust Operations Manager at Hope Sentamu Learning Trustsaid,

“Hope Sentamu Learning Trust is delighted to have been offered the chance to pilot the York Free Schools Meals in Burton Green Primary School.  We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Persimmon Foundation and the Sylvia and Colin Shepherd Charitable Trust for the significant donations to the York Community Fund’s Hungry Minds appeal to allow this project to go ahead.

“The Trust recognises that there are real benefits in starting the day with a healthy breakfast in terms of attendance and maintaining concentration and energy levels.”

Evaluation of the pilots will focus on gaining evidence about:

• the difference the project makes to the take up of meals;
• how much healthy food is going to children as a result based on their menu choices and food waste;
• any changes in readiness to learn
• any changes in absence due to illness and any changes to school attendance.

Anyone wishing to donate funding to support the Free School meals pilot can do so via the York Community Fund. A partnership between City of York Council and Two Ridings Community Foundation, the Fund will provide a vehicle for and source of independent funding that supports vibrant and purposeful community action to improve the wellbeing of people in the city.

Donations can be made via the Fund website at:

https://www.tworidingscf.org.uk/appeal/york-hungry-minds/