National school breakfast club programme
Continued support for participating schools post-programme closure.
Applies to England
Overview
The national school breakfast programme (NSBP) closed on 31 July 2026.
Continued support for schools post-programme closure
NSBP-participating schools with primary-age pupils
All NSBP schools with primary-age pupils were offered a place on the free breakfast club programme from September 2026. They can contact us for any further information or support regarding the free breakfast club programme.
NSBP-participating schools with secondary-age pupils
For the 2026 to 2027 academic year, NSBP schools with secondary-age pupils have been offered continued financial support from the Department for Education (DfE) to offer breakfast food to their pupils.
This support is via a direct section 14 grant to schools and has been calculated from previous spend on the programme, based on DfE’s contribution of 75% of food and delivery costs. Funding will be paid in 2 instalments. The first in the autumn term 2026 and the second, in arrears, in autumn term 2027.
Schools should use their funding to cover 75% of the cost of breakfast food and delivery for all pupils, at no cost to pupils or their parents. Breakfast provision must adhere to the school food standards.
Detailed information on the funding methodology and grant conditions is available. Final funding allocations will be published in early November 2026.
Providing a healthy breakfast offer
Food served at breakfast will need to be compliant with the school food standards practical guide.
These food-based standards specify which types of food should be served at school and how often.
The standards define the foods and drinks that:
- must be provided
- are restricted
- must not be provided
They apply to food and drink provided to pupils on school premises and during an extended school day (up to 6pm), including breakfast clubs.
School food standards: practical guide and resources for schools has a checklist for school food other than at lunch. This sets out what should and should not be served across the school day, including at breakfast.
The government recently consulted on proposed updates to the school food standards in England to ensure that all food served at school, including breakfasts and lunches, better reflect current nutritional guidance and support children’s health, wellbeing and learning.
The government published its response to the consultation in September 2026, and the new regulations will come into effect from September 2027.
The government will introduce separate standards for breakfast. Schools can use the guidance in school food standards to help prepare for these changes.
Breakfast examples
Starchy carbohydrates
Examples include:
- wheat bisks
- shredded wholewheat
- unsweetened puffed wheat
- no added sugar muesli
- plain porridge
- corn flakes
- rice pops
- higher fibre bread such as wholemeal and higher fibre white breads, fruit breads and crumpets
Low sugar, higher fibre cereals
Choose breakfast cereals with the lowest sugar content which are labelled as low (green on the front of pack nutrition label) in total sugar. No added sugar mueslis will not be green on the label because of the dried fruit, but these are still good to serve.
Sugar should not be available for adding to cereals.
Fruit and vegetables
Fruit and vegetables must be made available as part of a breakfast offer. These can be included in a variety of ways including:
- fresh
- dried fruit (with no added sugar) or canned in juice (not syrup) served with cereal, bread or yoghurt
- cooked mushrooms, tomatoes or baked beans (reduced sugar and salt) if schools opt for a hot breakfast offer
Aim to offer a variety of fruit or vegetables across the week.
Lower fat and lower sugar dairy
Dairy or plant-based products and foods can be served. This could be:
- a glass of semi-skimmed milk or plant-based drinks such as soya and oat
- milk or plant-based products provided for cereal
- lower fat no added sugar yoghurt or plant-based yoghurts
Fresh drinking water
Water should be readily available for pupils.
Foods high in fat, salt and sugar
These items are not permitted under the standards and must be avoided. This includes items such as:
- packaged cereal bars
- processed fruit bars
- pre-packaged croissants
- chocolate and chocolate coated products and confectionery
Food and drink to limit
Processed meat products such as sausages and bacon can only be served once a week in primary schools. This applies across the whole school day.
Pastry and deep-fried products can be served no more than twice a week. This applies across the whole school day.
Condiments and table sauces can only be served in portion sizes of:
- no more than 10g packets
- one teaspoonful
Sweet spreads should be reduced sugar and be served in portion sizes of:
- 20g packets
- one teaspoon
Procurement of food
Schools can choose how to source and deliver food as best meets their needs and in accordance with relevant public procurement legislation. There are a number of models that schools can consider, such as:
- sourcing food directly from suppliers, including breakfast club providers, partners or supermarkets or using an existing food supply contract
- utilising an existing catering contract or putting in place a new catering contract with a local authority or private catering company
- using a buying framework including from a public buying organisation or consortia
Schools may wish to use the sustainable procurement: the government buying standards for advice around sustainable sourcing.
Local authority catering services may also be able to support schools with delivery, potentially by varying existing lunch contracts to include breakfast provision.
Schools using a catering company or external provider to deliver the food aspect of their breakfast club will want to check that the company they are using is registered as a food business operator. This means they will receive a food hygiene rating and be inspected by food safety officers at regular intervals.
It is important that schools use reputable suppliers to supply and handle food safety.
Schools that do not have food business operator registration and choose to deliver the food offer using their own staff will need to register separately from other operators.
Food business registration has more information. The Food Standards Agency also have helpful guidance for food business operators in starting your food business safely.
Contact us
Support for participating schools with secondary-age pupils
All eligible schools with secondary age pupils were contacted by email in May 2026 with details of the grant funding.
Grant conditions are available and final funding allocations will be published in early November 2026. For any further queries, email nsbp.secondaryschoolsupport@education.gov.uk.
Support for participating schools with primary-age pupils
Schools with primary-age pupils can contact us via the free breakfast clubs portal for information or support regarding the free breakfast club programme.