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How to review your school food and nutrition policy

Get advice on reviewing your school's food and nutrition policy, and download our model policies so you can see what good looks like.

Last reviewed on 13 February 2026
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 46094
Contents
  1. What the policy should cover
  2. EYFS settings: check your policy covers any statutory requirements
  3. You can ask these key questions to challenge the policy
  4. Questions you can ask based on your school type
  5. Other questions you can ask
  6. Use our model policies

What the policy should cover

It’s not a statutory requirement for your school/trust to have a food and nutrition policy, but it is good practice.

Any school/trust policy should reflect:

You don't have to cross-reference the policy with this guidance, but you should expect your school/trust leaders to have done so.

You'll want to assure yourself that the policy sets out the aims for:

  • Promoting healthy eating
  • Managing food allergies and dietary needs
  • Setting rules around food brought in from home

EYFS settings: check your policy covers any statutory requirements

They should also refer to the non-statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) nutrition