Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what estimate he has made of the number of schools that are stockpiling food items in response to potential supply chain disruption to school meals.

Schools are responsible for the provision of school meals and may enter individual contracts with suppliers and caterers to meet this duty.

There is no evidence to suggest widespread supply issues. We routinely consider contingency arrangements and expect schools and catering companies supplying them to do the same.

The department does not monitor individual school contracts nor stock levels, but expects schools to continue providing pupils with nutritious school meals and to meet the School Food Standards which can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools.

The department’s published guidance advises schools, further education colleges and local authorities on how to prepare for potential changes to food supplies so they can minimise the effect on pupils and young people in their care. The guidance can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-food-standards-resources-for-schools/preparing-for-food-supply-problems-from-1-january-2021.

Schools are not encouraged to order more than they need, but do have flexibility under the School Food Standards to substitute food products if particular ingredients or meals are not readily available.