Lunch Menu and Free School Meal Information

Eating well | Growing well

Nutrition is a vital part of growing up to be healthy.

Children at Howard Community Academy can have a school lunch, or bring in a packed lunch from home.

Our school meal service is provided by Innovate Catering, part of Impact Food Group, using the SchoolGrid online ordering system.

SchoolGrid makes it easy for parents and carers to view menus, manage dietary requirements, and pre-order meals for their child.

Getting Started

Once the school has your email address, you will receive a welcome email from SchoolGrid inviting you to create your parent account. After your account has been set up, you will be able to access your child’s profile, view menus, and begin ordering meals.

If you prefer your child to have a packed lunch, we ask that you try to prepare a healthy lunch. See the link here for advice on healthy packed lunches.

Important – Changes to Free School Meals for the 2026 to 2027 Academic Year

From the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of household earnings.

Two types of eligibility will apply: Targeted FSM (for households earning £7,400 or less, including additional support such as Pupil Premium and other educational entitlements) and Expanded FSM (for households earning above £7,400, providing free school meals only).

Transitional protections introduced in 2018 will end, meaning eligibility will be based on your family’s current benefit status.

Most families with children already receiving free school meals will not need to reapply, as eligibility will be checked automatically.

Families who do not currently receive free school meals may now qualify under the expanded criteria and are encouraged to apply via the Suffolk County Council website: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/schools/school-meals-uniforms-and-trips/apply-for-free-school-meals.

For further information or support, call 0345 606 6067 or email freeschoolmeals@suffolk.gov.uk.