We're BACK AGAIN with our BI-ANNUAL school meals vs Packed lunch comparison... if you're not up to date... please see THIS BLOG that details the background!
As we navigate 2024, the choice between packed lunches and school meals remains a significant consideration for many families.
With the rising cost of food and changes in school meal policies, it’s essential to understand which option offers the best value.
This detailed analysis using a similar format of the previous THREE studies will explore the costs and compare food offerings from various UK supermarkets.
Cost Comparison Table
Type | Cost Per Day (avg) | Weekly Cost | Annual Cost |
School Meals (Primary) | £2.80 | £14.00 | £546.00 |
School Meals (Secondary) | £2.50 (I was surprised too) | £12.50 | £487.50 |
Packed Lunch (Primary) | £3.50 | £17.50 | £682.50 |
Packed Lunch (Secondary) | £4.00 | £20.00 | £780.00 |
Cost Breakdown for Nutritionally Complete Packed Lunches
For packed lunches to align with the School Food Standards, they must include a balanced mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy.
Using the same complicated format of before, here's how supermarkets do in 2024!
1. Tesco
Components for a Nutritionally Complete Packed Lunch:
Sandwich (Turkey and Salad):
Wholemeal Bread (loaf): £1.00 (16 slices, 8 sandwiches) = £0.12 per sandwich
Turkey Slices (200g pack): £2.00 (approx. 5 sandwiches) = £0.40 per sandwich
Salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber): £1.00 (for several sandwiches) = £0.20 per sandwich
Total Sandwich Cost: £0.72 each
Fruit (e.g., apple or banana): £0.30 - £0.60 per piece
Vegetable Sticks (carrot and cucumber): £0.80 per pack
Yoghurt (low-fat, 4-pack): £1.00 (per serving) = £0.25 each
Drink (e.g., water bottle or no-added-sugar juice): £0.40 - £0.70 each
Example Packed Lunch Cost:
Sandwich: £0.72
Fruit: £0.45
Vegetable Sticks: £0.80
Yoghurt: £0.25
Drink: £0.55
For Variety (e.g., adding a snack bar): +£0.80 Total with Variety:
Total Daily Cost TESCO: £3.57
2. Sainsbury’s
Components for a Nutritionally Complete Packed Lunch:
Wrap (Chicken and Veg):
Wholegrain Wraps (pack of 6): £1.80 (approx. 6 wraps) = £0.30 each
Chicken Slices (200g pack): £2.50 (approx. 4 wraps) = £0.62 per wrap
Mixed Veg (e.g., bell peppers, carrots): £1.20 (for several wraps) = £0.30 per wrap
Total Wrap Cost: £1.22 each
Fruit (e.g., mixed berries): £1.00 - £1.50 per pack (shared) = £0.40 per serving
Snack (e.g., wholegrain snack bar): £0.80 - £1.20 each
Yoghurt (plain or low-fat): £1.00 (per serving) = £0.25 each
Drink (e.g., flavoured water): £0.50 - £0.80 each
Example Packed Lunch Cost:
Wrap: £1.22
Fruit: £0.40
Snack: £1.00
Yoghurt: £0.25
Drink: £0.65 For Variety (e.g., adding a small salad): +£1.00 Total with Variety: £4.52 per day
Total Daily Cost Sainsbury's: £4.52
3. Asda
Components for a Nutritionally Complete Packed Lunch:
Sandwich (Chicken Salad):
Wholemeal Bread (loaf): £1.10 (16 slices, 8 sandwiches) = £0.14 per sandwich
Chicken Breast (200g pack): £2.00 (approx. 5 sandwiches) = £0.40 per sandwich
Salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber): £1.00 (for multiple sandwiches) = £0.20 per sandwich
Total Sandwich Cost: £0.74 each
Fruit (e.g., grapes or oranges): £0.40 - £0.80 per piece
Vegetable Sticks (carrot and cucumber): £0.50 per pack
Yoghurt (low-fat, multipack): £1.00 (per serving) = £0.25 each
Drink (e.g., milk carton or water): £0.30 - £0.60 each
Example Packed Lunch Cost:
Sandwich: £0.74
Fruit: £0.60
Vegetable Sticks: £0.50
Yoghurt: £0.25
Drink: £0.45 For Variety (e.g., adding a piece of cheese or extra snack): +£0.80 Total with Variety
Total Daily Cost Asda: £3.34
4. Aldi
Components for a Nutritionally Complete Packed Lunch:
Sandwich (Chicken, Salad, Wholemeal Bread):
Wholemeal Bread (loaf): £1.00 (16 slices, 8 sandwiches) = £0.12 per sandwich
Chicken Breast (200g pack): £1.80 (approx. 5 sandwiches) = £0.36 per sandwich
Salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber): £0.90 (for multiple sandwiches) = £0.18 per sandwich
Total Sandwich Cost: £0.66 each
Fruit (e.g., apple or banana): £0.30 - £0.60 per piece
Vegetable Sticks (carrot and cucumber): £0.70 per pack
Yoghurt (low-fat, multipack): £0.90 (per serving) = £0.30 each
Drink (e.g., water bottle or milk): £0.35 - £0.55 each
Example Packed Lunch Cost:
Sandwich: £0.66
Fruit: £0.45
Vegetable Sticks: £0.70
Yoghurt: £0.30
Drink: £0.45
For Variety (e.g., adding a small piece of cheese or a treat): +£0.70
Total Daily Cost Aldi: £3.26
Comparison with School Meals
Current Average School Meal Costs:
Primary School Meals: £2.80 - £3.00 per meal
Secondary School Meals: £2.50 - £2.80 per meal
Cost Analysis:
School Meals: As alwats School meals are generally more cost-effective, with an average price of £2.80 to £3.00 for primary students and £2.50 to £2.80 for secondary students. These meals adhere to UK nutritional standards, providing a balanced, nutritious option and in many parts of the country ARE FREE!
Packed Lunches: When adhering to the School Food Standards, packed lunches cost between £3.26 and £4.52 daily, depending on the supermarket and the variety included.
Conclusion
In 2024, school meals typically provide better value compared to packed lunches, particularly when considering the overall cost and convenience. While packed lunches offer customisation, they often require more effort and higher expenses to ensure they meet nutritional standards.
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Discover how to make the most cost-effective and nutritious choice for your child’s lunches with our detailed comparison of packed lunches versus school meals in 2024. Learn about the current costs of preparing packed lunches and how they stack up against school meal prices. Ensure your child’s lunch meets the School Food Standards with our insights into supermarket prices and meal planning tips. For more information on enhancing school nutrition and practical advice, explore our NourishED course, designed to provide comprehensive training and certification in school nutrition.