Holiday Camp - Packed Lunch Policy

Aims of this policy

This policy aims to:

• Support children’s health, concentration and energy levels through the day.

• Promote eating habits in line with School Food Standards (plenty of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods; some dairy or alternatives; limited free sugars and salt).

• Ensure a safe environment for children with allergies by keeping the camp completely nut free.

• Give clear, practical guidance to parents and carers on what to pack.

General principles for lunch boxes and snacks

We ask that all lunch boxes and snacks:

• Are based on everyday, minimally processed foods, not treats.

• Include plenty of fruit and/or vegetables across the day.

• Include a starchy food (e.g. bread, wraps, pitta, pasta, rice, potatoes) as the base of lunch.

• Include a source of protein (e.g. beans, pulses, eggs, fish, lean meat, cheese or plant-based alternative).

• Include a dairy food or fortified alternative (e.g. milk, yoghurt, cheese) where possible.

• Use water as the main drink; plain milk is also acceptable.

Drinks

To protect teeth and support healthy habits:

• Allowed:

  • Plain still water (preferred)

  • Semi-skimmed or 1% milk (or unsweetened fortified plant-based alternative if needed for medical/ethical reasons)

• Not allowed:

  • Fizzy drinks, energy drinks or squash (even “no added sugar”)

  • Fruit juice or smoothies (these should be kept for home and limited to small amounts with meals)

  • Flavoured milks or milkshakes high in added sugar

Children will always have access to drinking water during the day. Please send your child with a clearly named, refillable water bottle.

Snacks (morning and potential afternoon break)

Snacks should be small, simple and based on fruit, vegetables or plain starchy foods.

Good options include, for example:

• Fresh fruit (e.g. apple slices, satsuma, banana, berries, pear)

• Vegetable sticks (e.g. carrot, cucumber, pepper, sugar snap peas)

• Small pot of cherry tomatoes

• Plain breadsticks, oatcakes or rice cakes

• A small slice of wholemeal bread, roll or pitta with a savoury spread (e.g. hummus, cream cheese – check nut-free)

• Portion of plain or lightly salted popcorn (no added sugar or flavour coatings)

Please avoid sending crisps, chocolate, sweets, biscuits, pastries or cake as snacks. If you include a small treat with lunch (see below), this should not replace a healthy snack.

For younger children (especially Year R–2), please:

• Cut grapes, cherry tomatoes and similar foods in half lengthways to reduce choking risk.

• Avoid hard sweets or whole nuts (nuts are not allowed at all – see below).

Lunch

Lunch should be a balanced meal that follows the same principles as school meals set out in the School Food Standards.

A balanced lunch box will usually contain:

1. Starchy base
   Examples: wholemeal or 50/50 bread, wraps, pitta, bagels, pasta, rice, couscous, potatoes.

   • Try to choose wholegrain or higher-fibre options where possible.

2. Protein food
   Examples: chicken, turkey, tuna in spring water, salmon, boiled eggs, hummus, beans, lentils, falafel, cheese, tofu or other meat-free alternatives.

   • Aim for lean, lower-fat options and limit processed meats (e.g. ham, sausages, pepperoni).

3. Fruit and vegetables

   • Aim for at least two different portions at lunchtime (e.g. one fruit, one vegetable).

   • Use a variety of colours and textures across the week.

4. Dairy or fortified alternative
   Examples: yoghurt, fromage frais, cheese, or calcium-fortified plant-based yoghurt.

   • Choose lower-sugar options where possible (check labels).

5. Optional small treat (if you choose)

   • If including a treat, keep it small (e.g. one mini biscuit bar or small slice of homemade cake) and not every day.

   • Treats should not replace fruit or vegetables and should be in addition to, not instead of, a balanced meal.

Please pack food in easy‑open containers that your child can manage independently, and provide cutlery if needed.

Foods and drinks that are not allowed

To keep in line with healthy eating guidelines and to ensure safety for all, please do not send:

• Any products containing nuts (see nut‑free guidance below).

• Sweets, chocolate bars or confectionery.

• Chocolate‑coated biscuits or cakes as everyday items (occasional small portions only, and not as snacks).

• Fizzy drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks or squash.

• Crisps and savoury snacks high in salt/fat as everyday items (occasional small packet with lunch is acceptable, but not for snacks).

• Fast food or take‑away style items (e.g. fried chicken, chips, burgers) brought in from shops.

If regularly unsuitable items are packed, staff may speak with you to help adjust lunch boxes in line with this policy.

Nut‑free camp guidance

We are a completely nut‑free camp to protect children with serious allergies.

Please ensure you do not send:

• Whole nuts or chopped nuts of any kind.

• Peanut butter or other nut butters.

• Nut‑based chocolate spreads.

• Cereal bars, granola bars, flapjacks or cakes that contain nuts or are labelled “contains nuts”.

• Pesto or sauces containing nuts.

We also strongly encourage avoiding products labelled “may contain nuts” where possible, though we understand this can be more challenging. If you are unsure about a product, please choose an alternative.

If a nut product is brought in by mistake, staff will remove it from the lunch box and return it at the end of the day.

Example of a healthy camp day

Example lunch box (you can adapt to suit your child and culture):

• Wholemeal pitta bread with chicken and salad

• Small pot of cherry tomatoes and cucumber sticks

• A piece of fruit (e.g. satsuma or apple)

• Small pot of natural yoghurt with fruit

• Water bottle (plus optional carton of semi‑skimmed milk)

Example snacks:

• Morning: banana or apple slices

• Afternoon (if used): carrot sticks with hummus and a few plain breadsticks

Special diets, allergies and cultural needs

We recognise that families have different dietary needs and cultural or religious practices.

Please let us know in advance if your child:

• Has any food allergies or intolerances.

• Follows a vegetarian, vegan, Halal, Kosher or other specific diet.

• Has medical needs that affect what or when they can eat.

We will work with you to ensure your child can eat safely and in line with your family’s preferences, while still following the principles of this policy.

Working together

We believe that home and camp each play an important role in helping children develop a positive relationship with food. By following this healthy lunch box policy, you are supporting your child to:

• Have enough energy to join in fully with all activities.

• Concentrate, learn skills and enjoy their day.

• Build lifelong healthy habits around food and drink.

If you would like ideas, example menus or budget‑friendly suggestions, please speak to a member of the team as we are happy to help.