School meals are offered free for all infant school students.
Our school meals are provided by a company called Innovate, part of the Impact Food Group family. School meals can be paid for and ordered via the parent app, Arbor.
They believe that every pupil should enjoy healthy and nutritious meals to support their learning, offering quality food choice, flexibility and speed at the heart of everything they do.
Their food is inspired by the best and most fashionable high street concepts, fusing fantastic quality food with the industry's leading quick service style food markets and cafes.
Ordering lunches or letting us know that children will be bringing a packed lunch from home will all be through the parent app, Arbor. Before ordering meals, you will need to add credit to your account. To do this, from the main dashboard, click in meals and then top up account. For your reference all meals are £2.78 unless you are entitled to free school meals in which case you will not need to add credit. School meals cannot be ordered without sufficient credit on your child's account. Once credit is added to your account, the charge for each school meal will be debited once the lunch has been served.
To access the meal choices go back to the main dashboard and click into Quick Actions and select Meals. From here you can add your choice or let us know that they will be bringing a packed lunch from home.
Lunch choices can be placed up til 8am on the day so that the catering team know how much to order and cook on each day. If choices are not selected in advance, a packed lunch must be provided. If children do not have a school lunch or packed lunch, they will be provided with a jacket potato and beans in accordance with Benedicts Law and our food allergies policy.
If your child requires a special menu due to a dietary requirement, please complete the online form below which will put you in touch with Innovate directly to register their dietary needs and supply a suitable menu.
Meon Junior School; https://innovate2020.cashlessschool.co.uk/paf/?sie=13613&sn=Meon+Junior+School
Meon Infant School; https://innovate2020.cashlessschool.co.uk/paf/?sie=13612&sn=Meon+Infant+School
Moorings Way Infant School; https://innovate2020.cashlessschool.co.uk/paf/?sie=13617&sn=Moorings+Way+Primary+School
As of February 2017, the free school meal application form is now available to complete online at the Portsmouth City Council website, please see link below:
Completed forms will be automatically sent to the PCC free school meal inbox where they can assess and advise parents/carers accordingly.
Alternatively, a paper copy of the free meals application form can be obtained from the school office.
We update our menu regularly, and often have special one-time menus to mark events which you can find here.
From September 2026, all children in households receiving Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals, regardless of earnings.
There will be two types of eligibility:
• Targeted FSM: for households on a low-income, earning £7,400 pa or less (less than £616.67 per month from employment, after deductions)
• Expanded FSM: for households in receipt of universal credit, earning above £7,400pa (more than £616.67 per month from employment, after deductions)
Families with no recourse to public funds may also be eligible for Targeted FSM subject to meeting separate criteria.
All children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 will continue to be entitled to a free lunch at school, regardless of family circumstances.
End of 'Protected' FSM:
Since 2018, some children have continued to receive Protected free school meals, even if their family income increased. This was called transitional protection.
Protected FSMs will finish in July 2026, at the end of the current school year. This means some children may no longer be eligible from September 2026 if their family does not receive Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit.
What happens next?
At the Council, we will check the Free School Meal eligibility for every parent / carer who has previously applied to the Council. We will write to you during the summer to explain your new FSM entitlement.
Not sure?
If you are unsure whether you need to apply or if your circumstances have changed, please contact:
• freeschoolmeal@portsmouthcc.gov.uk
FAQS
My child already gets free meals in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 – do I still need to apply?
Yes, children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 receive Universal Infant Free School Meals automatically. However, registering for Free School Meals may provide access to additional funding and support for the school and your child.
Please note that even if your child currently receives free school meals, parents and carers will need to reapply each academic year 26/27 . Once approved, entitlement will be awarded for the full academic year, regardless of any changes in circumstances.
My child brings packed lunches – should I still apply?
Yes, even if your child usually brings lunch from home, registering may still unlock additional support and funding for school resources and pupil support.
I applied before and was refused. Should I try again?
Yes. Eligibility rules change and family circumstances change too. We encourage families to reapply if circumstances have changed or if you are unsure.
Will other children know my child receives Free School Meals?
No, applications are confidential and schools work hard to ensure children are not identified because they receive Free School Meals.
Will staff know my financial circumstances?
Only staff who need access to eligibility information for administrative purposes will usually see this information. Applications are treated confidentially.
How do I apply?
Applications are completed through our local authority system.
Apply here: Free School Meal website link
If you need help completing an application, please contact the school office.
There is a Parent Information leaflet that can be viewed here.
If you would like your child or children to have milk at school, you will need to register at https://www.coolmilk.com/