A major new initiative to improve the quality of school food and children's nutrition is set to roll out across Hertfordshire this year.

The Nourish programme, described as a "groundbreaking" school food improvement scheme, will work with 40 primary, secondary and SEND schools across the county over the next three years — including schools in and around Hitchin.

Backed by Hertfordshire County Council's Public Health Prevention Investment Programme (PHIP), the scheme forms part of a wider £2.9 million investment aimed at helping residents live healthier lives for longer. Funding comes via the Government's Public Health Grant.

Improving food culture in schools

Run by charity School Food Matters, Nourish will support schools to improve not just the food served, but the wider "food culture" throughout the school day — from breakfast clubs to lunchtime meals and after-school provision.

The programme offers tailored support across three school terms, helping schools create healthier environments that prioritise children's nutrition, wellbeing and long-term health.

Students, staff and families will all be involved in shaping changes, ensuring improvements reflect each school community.

Georgie Branch, Nourish Programme Manager at School Food Matters, said: "We're delighted to be bringing Nourish to Hertfordshire. Over the past five years in London, we've seen how improving school food environments can make a real difference to children's wellbeing and their relationship with food."

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Why it matters

The programme comes at a critical time, with recent data highlighting ongoing challenges around children's health.

Government figures show:

• Nearly 1 in 5 Year 6 children are living with obesity
• Just 13% of children eat the recommended five portions of fruit and vegetables a day

Local leaders say schools are a key setting for tackling these issues.

Sarah Perman, Director of Public Health at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "By harnessing the benefits of healthy school food, it aims to reduce health inequalities among children and young people across Hertfordshire and to establish a clear, lasting framework for ongoing school food improvement."

Chefs and experts brought in

Alongside Nourish, charity Chefs in Schools will deliver specialist training to school kitchen teams, helping them develop professional cooking skills and nutritional knowledge.

Some schools will also receive intensive support through a School Transformation Programme designed to overhaul food culture from the ground up.

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Nicole Pisani, Chief Innovation Officer at Chefs in Schools, said: "School chefs are the unsung heroes of children's food experiences… this partnership will help ensure more children in the county have access to excellent school food that supports their health and happiness."

Local research and evaluation

The programme will be evaluated by the University of Hertfordshire, ensuring children and families help shape how it develops locally.

Professor Rebecca O'Connell, who is leading the research, said improving school food is vital in tackling wider health inequalities.

"With children and young people spending most of their time in educational settings, schools can play a vital role in helping to improve what children eat and ultimately make a difference to their everyday lives," she said.

Building on success elsewhere

Nourish has already been delivered in London, reaching more than 35,000 pupils across 108 schools.

Its expansion into Hertfordshire — alongside other areas including Birmingham and Cheshire — marks a significant step in bringing healthier school food to more children across the country.