School Food and Food Education School Food Standards: The School Food Plan, published in July 2013; Free school meals for all children in Reception to Year 2, with 85% take up, giving over 1.3 million additional children a free lunch every day (2015); New School Food Standards came in to force from January 2015 with clear guidelines based on major food groups—mandatory for all maintained schools and any academies or free schools established before September 2010 or after June 2014. Many of the academies and free schools not covered have committed to the standards by choice. Link: http://www.schoolfoodplan.com/actions/school-food-standards/ Food Education: Cooking lessons became part of the national curriculum in 2014 and are compulsory for pupils up to year 9.