Universal Infant Free School Meals
A hot, nourishing lunch for infant children
If your child is in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2, they are entitled to a Universal Infant Free School Meal (UIFSM).
At The Easy Lunch Company, we’re proud to prepare these meals so every child can enjoy a balanced lunch made with care, during their school day.
How UIFSM works
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are entitled to a UIFSM meal, and they are automatically provided for children.
If you would prefer your child not to have a free hot school meal, you just need to let your school know once you’ve decided.
Unless your school has expressly asked that you pre-order online using our booking system, the schools where you MUST pre-order to receive a UIFSM are Slinfold, St Mary’s, Shelley, Arunside, Barns Green Primary, and St Peter’s Cowfold.
At all other schools, the lunch is automatically provided; however, if you wish to guarantee a particular meal for your child, then you need to order that online using our booking system.
Allergies and dietary requirements
We know every child is different, and we take care to make sure everyone is included.
If your child has an allergy or specific dietary requirement, please contact us so we can talk through their needs and make the right arrangements. In order for a special dietary meal to be supplied, you will need to complete a form and provide medical evidence to support your request.
Frequently asked questions
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
For most infant children, meals are provided automatically and do not need to be ordered in advance. However, some schools do require you to pre-order through our online booking system. You must pre-order if your child attends Slinfold, St Mary’s, Shelley, Arunside, Barns Green Primary, or St Peter’s Cowfold, or if your school has specifically asked parents to order online.
At all other schools, you only need to order online if you want to guarantee a particular meal choice for your child.
You are still entitled, and it’s important to continue completing the relevant forms. This ensures your school receives funding through the Pupil Premium allowance (failure to do this means your school will miss out on valuable funding). FSM Eligibility information
Your school will have a policy on whether packed lunches from home are allowed or not. Please contact your school to find out more.
Whilst we would encourage all infant children to have a free hot school meal, packed lunches from home can be provided if notice is given to the school, and it is their policy to allow this. Please contact your school to find out.
PLEASE NOTE: If you give the school notice that you will not be taking up a hot lunch option, a meal will NOT be supplied for your child, and it will be your responsibility to provide a packed lunch.
Yes, you can switch back to free hot school meals by telling your school office by the Tuesday the week before you want to start.
Please contact us to discuss your child’s special meal requirements so they can be catered for individually. We may ask for a supporting doctor’s letter.
We provide a packed lunch pre-ordered by the school, including a sandwich or roll, a piece of fruit, a yoghurt, a carton of fruit juice, and a sweet treat.
If your child is in Year 3, 4, 5 or 6, they are not part of the Universal Infant Free School Meals scheme.
All meals for junior children (Years 3, 4, 5 and 6) must be ordered online, including those entitled to Free School Meals (FSM), within the current deadlines.
Please register an account and use SchoolGrid
The cost of one meal is £3.20
We’re here to help
We know there can be a lot to think about when it comes to school meals, especially when your child is just starting school.
If you have any questions or would like to talk things through, our friendly team is always here to help.
