Who’s Paying the Price? Food Poverty, Cost of School Meals, What’s Next?

Let’s talk about something that cuts deep into every household — the cost of food and school meals.

Food Poverty Cost of School Meals What’s Next?

Back in 2022, the BBC’s Newsnight ran a powerful piece where families admitted they were skipping meals so their children could eat (BBC Newsnight video). At the time, data showed more than a quarter of UK households with children were living with food poverty. Fast-forward three years, and you’d expect things to have improved. But have they? Or are we actually worse off?

Food Prices Then and Now

In 2022, the cost-of-living crisis was already biting. By 2025, it’s gone further:

• The cost of a basic food basket has risen by about 27% since 2022 (Food Foundation).

• Healthier foods are rising in price faster than less healthy options (Food Foundation, Broken Plate 2025), leaving parents forced into impossible choices.

• For the most deprived families, affording a healthy diet would take 45–70% of disposable income.

These aren’t just numbers — they’re lived realities. Parents tell us food “goes off before I can use it,” or that they’ve skipped their own meals so children don’t go without.

Free School Meals: A Lifeline Under Pressure

One of the few safety nets is free school meals (FSM). As of January 2025, around 2.2 million children — that’s 25.7% of state-funded pupils in England — are now eligible (House of Commons Library).

But here’s the catch: what about families who just miss the threshold? Parents working low-paid jobs are often stuck paying, even though their budgets are already stretched to breaking point. This is where the system feels unfair. Shouldn’t every child have the right to a proper meal at school, regardless of their parents’ pay slips?

The Food Foundation’s Superpowers of Free School Meals 2025 report makes it clear: expanding FSM isn’t just about hunger, it’s about better health, school performance, and even long-term economic gains (Food Foundation report).

Cost Pressures & Food Choices in UK Families (2025)

Many parents find that going to a place like Big John’s or getting takeaway seems cheaper than buying all the ingredients and cooking from scratch — especially when you factor in the cost of fuel to go shopping,s on basics like dairy, meat, and or rising price veggies. A recent study showed that almost all families use takeaways occasionally, but it's clear that those in more deprived neighbourhoods are using them more often. What we don’t have yet is a reliable number of parents who choose fast food simply because it costs less — that would be valuable to see in upcoming reports or surveys.

👉 This visual shows why so many turn to fast food chains like Big John’s — it can feel cheaper and easier than buying ingredients for a meal tonight or even a full shop.

96% of families use takeaways at least occasionally

• 35% of parents with under-5s say price stops them from feeding their child what they’d like

• Families in deprived areas need to spend up to 70% of their disposable income on a healthy diet

But here’s the bigger picture: choosing fast food because it’s cheaper isn’t really a choice — it’s survival. Food Poverty Cost of School Meals What’s Next? Families are weighing up £15 for a takeaway that feeds everyone tonight versus £30–£40 for a proper food shop that won't last even the week. When healthy food costs more, and the bills for heating, rent, and travel keep piling up, fast food becomes the fallback option.

This isn’t just about convenience; it’s about affordability. Reports from the Food Foundation highlight that healthier foods have risen in price at nearly twice the rate of unhealthy ones. That leaves families stuck in a cycle: cheap calories now, long-term health problems later.

And let’s be honest — supermarkets don’t help either. Promotions rarely target fresh produce, but you’ll find multi-buy deals on fizzy drinks, crisps, and frozen pizzas almost every week. It’s no wonder families on low incomes feel trapped.

So the question we need to ask is: why should a Big John’s burger meal be cheaper than a bag of apples, a loaf of bread, and some chicken? That imbalance is a policy failure, not a personal one. The House of Commons Library has repeatedly warned that structural inequalities in food pricing are deepening, but real reform keeps being pushed back.

Looking Ahead

As Christmas approaches, the pressure on families with school-age children grows even stronger. For many, free school meals offer stability during term time — but when the holidays arrive, that safety net disappears. Parents already stretched thin are suddenly faced with extra meals to provide at home, right when food prices are at their peak.

Food banks see record demand every December, and too many children miss out on the simple joy of a festive meal at the same time their classmates are excitedly sharing what’s on their plates.

👉 In our next blog, we’ll explore how school holidays and Christmas collide for families living in poverty — and how communities can help make sure no child is left behind at the table.

Final Thought

Families shouldn’t have to choose between feeding their children a hot meal and paying the bills. The debate around food poverty and free school meals is about dignity, fairness, and giving every child the same start in life — not just those whose parents fall neatly within a government threshold.

💬 I’d love to hear your experiences. Do you think free school meals should be universal? Have rising food prices changed how you shop, or do you sometimes rely on takeaways because it feels cheaper?

👉 Join the conversation in our Mish Mash Community Hub — a place to swap ideas, share stories, and chat about food, health, and everyday challenges with others in the community.

✨ And while you’re there, don’t forget to explore the rest of the Mish Mash Publications site for more blogs, resources, and inspiration on food, health, and living well.

The more voices and visits we have, the harder it is for decision-makers to ignore.