Methods:

The effects of a policy change in meals among schools from Greenwich, England were evaluated. Meals were changed from low-budget processed meals to healthier options. The Feed Me Better Campaign developed by chef Jamie Oliver involved retraining of school cooks, removing all junk food, and replacing these foods with healthy alternatives, and removing processed foods. New school menus were initiated in the school year 2004-05. All menus stayed within the prior budget of the old menus. The outcomes of interest were educational outcomes in primary schools, comparing before and after changes, as well as comparing outcomes with those from a control group (the neighboring Local Education Authorities). Educational outcomes were compared using testing from Key Stage 2, which corresponds to grades 3 through 6. All pupils take standardized testing in year 6 (average age of the students is 11). Testing has three main components: English, math, and science. Absenteeism was also examined as an outcome.