Social Impact | Impact Food Group

Better food helped tounlock brighter futures?

Impact+ is our commitment to transforming lives through the power of food.

We believe school food can do so much more than fill plates. When students enjoy delicious, nutritious food, they feel happier, more included and more ready to learn. That is why we work closely with schools and trusts to create dishes that support student wellbeing and better educational outcomes.

Our recipe for success

Happy students
Improved nutrition
Better outcomes

Every meal is a moment to create impact.

We believe great school food makes a real difference to how students feel, learn and take part in school life.

Our Student Outcomes Research brings together academic evidence, national school data, Headteacher insight and feedback from parents and students - helping us understand how food contributes to happiness, attendance and attainment.

96%
of students feel happy at school because they enjoy our food^*
2
additional days of attendance each year for students to learn^*
14
more students achieving 5+ grades in GCSE Maths and English^*

*Based on parent survey feedback and comparative data analysed from the DfE GIAS database for 2024/25. Further detail is available in the Impact+ report.

Primary pupils eating lunch from yellow trays at a dining hall table

Student numbers have increased, retention of students has increased, and attainment has certainly improved. It’s not just a direct correlation of the food - but if any of those elements were not excellent - then that would impact the results.

Russ LawranceFormer Chief Executive & Prinicpal at Haringey Sixth Form College

Great food helped more students take part?

Great food can change the feel of a school day. When students enjoy what is on offer, feel welcome in the dining space and know there is something for them, they are more likely to choose school meals.

Working closely with our partners, we shape food, service and communications around each school community - helping to increase participation, improve Free School Meal uptake and make lunchtime something students look forward to.

In collaboration with our partners, we see the difference great food can make:

+10% increase in overall meal participation in the first 16 weeks of a new partnership.
+4% free school meal uptake increase after one year of partnership.
+3.5% free school meal uptake increase year-on-year after each additional year of partnership.