Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Education to detail any steps he is taking to ensure that primary and secondary school pupils are provided with nutritious, healthy and minimally processed food in schools.
Minister of Education: The Education Authority (EA) is responsible for the development of menus across the primary and secondary schools to which it delivers catering services. Menu development is aligned with the nutritional standard introduced in 2007. The EA works in partnership with the Public Health Agency regarding ongoing compliance with these standards while continuing to provide choice for parents, children and young people.
The EA remains committed to expanding food options with a reduced reliance on processed products, prioritising the use of fresh ingredients wherever possible. It actively promotes healthier eating habits among children through initiatives such as EatSmart Week, which saw participation from over 550 schools in 2025. Such initiatives will continue to form an integral part of the EA’s school meals service.
ENDS
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