A roundtable discussion reveals how school meals are becoming a test case for integrated policy, smarter data utilisation and digital transformation across education, health and local government

With the government set to expand free school meals to all children in households on Universal Credit by 2026, public services are under growing pressure to deliver the new policy while managing rising demand, ensuring compliance with nutritional standards, and doing so with stakeholders already managing budget constraints, staff shortages and rising costs. However, this is also an opportunity for digital and data leaders to lead the change. School meals sit at the intersection of education, welfare and public health, yet they remain an underused lever for digital innovation and smarter service delivery.

The Big School Meal Debate was a face-to-face roundtable discussion hosted by sector experts and sponsored by Civica, exploring how schools and catering providers are adapting to today’s operational and financial challenges – and where digital tools are making a tangible difference.

A resource is now available to download that captures key takeaways from the discussion, including Civica’s perspective on how smart systems and integrated data can support better outcomes, stronger compliance and more sustainable service design.

Download the digital resource now to access insights on:

• How digital systems are helping schools manage rising meal volumes, costs and compliance demands
• Why catering data should be integrated into wider planning for pupil outcomes and resource allocation
• Where local authorities and trusts are already using automation to reduce admin and improve service quality
• What to consider when assessing digital readiness for school food delivery at scale

Fill out the form below to download now.