Food – October 2025

Introduction

During October we asked children and young people about food.

Children in primary schools were asked about their favourite vegetables and how they like to eat them. We shared their answers with Food Sense Wales to help them in their work of getting more locally grown and seasonal vegetables in school dinners
Young people in secondary schools were asked about the cost of school meals

The surveys were a part of an ongoing series of topical questions we ask children and young people monthly to hear their views on a variety of issues, called Monthly Matters. They were shared directly with all schools signed up to our children’s rights schemes for primary and secondary schools, as well as community groups.

As part of the survey pack, children and young people were shown a video introducing the topic. Schools and groups had two options for completing the survey; children and young people could either do it independently, or a teacher or group leader could complete the survey on behalf of the group by answering a different set of questions to give an overview of the discussion.

558 children answered the primary school questionnaire individually, and 638 as part of a group.
409 young people answered the secondary school questionnaire individually, and 370 as part of a group.

Primary school questionnaire

Primary school children were asked only one question:

What’s your favourite vegetable, and how do you like to eat it? (For instance how you like it cooked (or maybe you like it raw!) or anything else you want to tell us about how you like to eat your favourite vegetable)

The most popular answers were:

Carrot, usually described as being eaten raw, as sticks, cut up, peeled, or crunchy. Children also enjoyed carrots boiled, roasted, or with honey.
Cucumber, usually eaten raw, in a salad, or cut into slices/sticks.
Potato, including mash, chips, roast potatoes, waffles, and jackets.
Broccoli, usually cooked, boiled, steamed, or roasted.

Secondary school questionnaire

Do you have school dinners or a packed lunch?

School dinners – 161 (42%)
Both – 129 (33%)
Packed lunch – 98 (25%)

Do you have free school meals?

No – 241 (83%)
Yes – 32 (11%)
Not sure – 16 (6%)

Why do you bring a packed lunch? (multiple selection)

Cheaper – 137 (32%)
Don’t like school food / prefer packed lunch – 74 (18%)
Healthier – 71 (17%)
Parents tell me to – 39 (9%)
Too busy with clubs to have school food – 25 (6%)
To manage allergies – 7 (2%)

Can you buy food whenever you want (e.g., at break)?

Yes – 11 (39%)
No – 7 (61%)

If you don’t spend all your money in one day, does it stay in your account?

No – 10 (56%)
Yes – 8 (44%)

Do you pay for food in the same way as everyone else?

Yes – 16 (89%)
No – 2 (11%)

Is your free school meal allowance enough to eat what you want?

Yes – 10 (59%)
No – 7 (41%)

How clear are prices in the school canteen?

Very unclear – 48 (27%)
Quite clear – 44 (27%)
A little unclear – 44 (27%)
Very clear – 13 (8%)
Don’t know – 12 (8%)

How often are you hungry at school?

Sometimes – 89 (56%)
A lot – 44 (28%)
Always – 15 (10%)
Never – 10 (6%)

Do you know what your weekly budget is for school food?

Yes – 69 (35%)
No – 45 (23%)
Sometimes – 16 (12%)

How much money do you think somebody would need per day to have healthy and filling meals in school?

This was an open-ended question with an average response of £5.50

Do you have enough money each day to eat what you want in school?

Yes – 99 (77%)
No – 30 (23%)

Have you ever been refused food because your account was in debt?

No – 70 (54%)
Yes – 45 (35%)
Don’t know – 15 (12%)

Do you have enough time to eat in school?

Yes – 262 (68%)
No – 81 (21%)
Don’t know – 44 (11%)

Can you fill a bottle with water for free in school?

Yes – 348 (90%)
Don’t know – 29 (8%)
No – 8 (2%)

Question for teachers

Have staff ever brought food in for pupils who couldn’t afford to eat?

Don’t know – 12 (57%)
Yes – 8 (38%)
No – 1 (5%)

Group responses

Did the group feel that prices were clear in the canteen?

Answers reflected:

Prices often not being clear, or not being displayed at all
Experiences varying between schools
A lack of clarity on pricing affecting pupils’ ability to decide

How much did the group think they’d need to eat well in school, per day?