Kids' meals should be nutritious!
Out to lunch is our biennial campaign that sends an army of secret diner parents to assess the quality of kids' food at popular UK high street food chains and attractions.
We shine a spotlight on the lack of healthy and freshly prepared options on kids' menus - and give credit to the businesses who are doing better.
What should 2024's restaurants do next?
Ultra-processed food (UPF) is a leading concern for parents due to their link to health problems like cancer and heart, kidney and liver disease.
We were shocked to find a huge lack of fresh preparation. Restaurants are ripping parents off by serving children ready meals.
Wahaca, Wetherspoon, Harvester, Zizzi, Carluccio's, Toby Carvery and Leon are committed to serving freshly prepared, responsibly sourced and tasty food and have taken our groundbreaking pledge to report on their UPF ingredients.
Parents expect better. It's high time the rest of our restaurant chains started listening to them.
Out to Lunch - our progress so far
Since we started the Out to Lunch campaign in 2013, we’ve seen huge progress made by high street restaurant chains. Restaurants that are part of the campaign are committed to continuously improving their kid's menus so they are more nutritious and sustainable. Changes we’ve seen so far include:
More vegetables in kids’ menus. More veg is being served because of the Out to Lunch 2019 and 2021 campaigns.
Huge increase in vegetarian and vegan options. This reflects the customer demand for less meat.
Ten out of twenty restaurants have signed the Stop Deforestation Pledge. This aims to make supply chains better for the planet.
Reducing sugar content. Several restaurants are actively trying to reduce sugar levels in kids’ desserts.
Obtained pledges from restaurants to report on ultra-processed ingredients in their kitchens - the first pledge of its kind.
Will you help us to change the menu?
As a charity, we rely on the passion and support of people like you.
We work with farmers, retailers, caterers and government to change the way we farm and eat.
Give a regular donation, and say ‘yes’ to a food and farming future that supports public health.
That's not all we're doing to improve children's food
Out to Lunch is part of our wider mission to transform the way we eat. Our Food for Life programme works with schools, early years, care homes and hospitals to make good food the easy choice for everyone. Find out how you can get involved.
