Cost of primary school meals

Summary

The request sought the financial impact of recent school menu changes and the average cost per meal. The Department of Education disclosed actual costs for 2024/25, projected costs for 2025/26, and the split between government and parent contributions per meal.

Key Facts

• The cost of school meals for the 2024/25 academic year was £2,949,338.48.
• The projected cost for 2025/26 is £2,881,186.48, based on removing ultra-processed foods.
• The projected average cost to the government per primary school meal is £5.02.
• Parents/carers contribute £2.55 per meal, with the remainder covered by the government.
• Accurate final costs for 2025/26 require a prolonged period of menu delivery to assess demand and waste.

Data Disclosed

• £2,949,338.48
• £2,881,186.48
• £5.02
• £2.55
• 2024/25
• 2025/26
• 2025-09-03
• 2025-09-30
• 4911317

Original Request

How much has the recent change in school menu saved/cost the government? What is the average cost to the government of a meal per child?

Data Tables (1)

Data Tables (reformatted)

Full Response Text

Policy, Strategy and Governance Division Department of Education, Sport and Culture Thie Slieau Whallian Foxdale Road St Johns IM4 3AS

Telephone: (01624) 685808 Website: www.gov.im/dec Email: dec@foi.gov.im

Our ref: 4911317 30th September 2025

Dear ###,

We write further to your request, received 3 September 2025, which states:

"How much has the recent change in school menu saved/cost the government?

What is the average cost to the government of a meal per child?"

Our response to your request is as follows: I have detailed below the information that is being released to you.

1) How much has the recent change in school menu saved/cost the government?

The cost of School Meals for the academic year 2024/25 was £2,949,338.48

The projected cost of School Meals for 2025/26 is £2,881,186.48

Please note, the cost of school meals for 2025/26 is a projected figure based on the removal of some food items to minimise ultra processed foods. The projected figure is contingent on a number of factors, including food prices, menu additions and continued monitoring and evaluation of the new menu, including food waste.

A prolonged period of menu delivery is required to understand school meal demand, meal popularity and the associated overall costs.

2) What is the average cost to the government of a meal per child?

At present, the projected cost per Primary school meal for the academic year 2025/2026 based on the number of meals served in 2024/25 is £5.02

Of which, the cost to parents/carers per meal is £2.55.

By way of advice and assistance an extended duration of menu delivery is necessary to determine an accurate average cost per meal for the academic year 2025/26.

Please quote the reference number 4911317 in any future communications.

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