A group set up to support the provision of kosher school meals in Barnet has officially launched as a charity.

Kosher School Meals was established in 2023 in response to reports that several London schools said they were unable to provide hot kosher lunches because costs had become unaffordable.

The charity, which was set up by Barnet councillors, business leaders, parents and teachers, said it needed to raise at least £2 million to support an estimated 4,424 Jewish primary school pupils — 14.5 per cent of Barnet’s primary school children.

With their new status, the charity aims to “help schools struggling with the cost of providing kosher school meals, even with the extra funding from the Mayor of London”, said a spokesperson.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan pledged additional funding to ensure schools could accommodate religious dietary requirements in July, but problems already existed with the provision of these meals after a caterer discontinued supplying Jewish schools due to spiralling kosher food prices. In June, the JC revealed that students at almost 20 Jewish primary and secondary schools were going without a hot meal.

The average price of a kosher meal is £4.50 per child, according to the charity. The mayor provides £3.85 per child, which leaves at the very least 0.65p per child.

The charity is looking to raise an additional £2.50 per child per meal to fund the shortfall and “ to increase the choice of provider and secure the provision for subsequent years”.

“We hope to raise at the very least £2 million but would ask the community to put in as much as they can,” said the spokesperson. The charity will pass on money to schools on a needs basis.

Finchley Church End councillor Eva Greenspan, who is spearheading the project with fellow councillors Michael Mire and Peter Zinkin, said that the official launch of the Kosher School Meals charity marked “a significant step forward in our mission to ensure that all students have access to nutritious and religiously appropriate meals within their educational institutions.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to all those who have supported us in this endeavour and look forward to making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and families in Barnet."

To enquire as to how you can donate, please email the charity at KosherSchoolMeals@gmail.com.