The visit was an opportunity to discuss all-things school food and meet directly with Impact Food Group, the company who provides the catering for many schools across Thinking Schools Academy Trust.
Discussing the expansion of the free school meal entitlement to more than half a million children nationally, there was a focus on how this this impacts families belonging to the school.
Mr Morgan served children a healthy and nutritious meals to observe first-hand the importance of providing children with the fuel they need to have a productive day at school.
The MP commended the good work of the catering team and wider staff at the school, saying: “I know from conversations with local people, and my time in the Department for Education, how much the strain of child poverty has impacted families in Portsmouth.
“My visit to Penbridge Infant School allowed me a valuable opportunity to chat with catering staff about the importance of daily nutrition to every child so that every child can succeed and thrive.
When talking about the free school meal expansion, he continued: “This decisive and much needed measure will lift Portsmouth’s children out of poverty and put money back in the pockets of this city’s parents.
“I have always strongly believed that all children, regardless of their background, deserve the best start in life.”
Earlier this week, it was announced deep-fried food will be banned and higher-sugar items restricted in schools in England under plans to change school dinners.
It has been proposed by the Government that fruit will replace “sugar-laden treats” for most of the school week. Kitchens will no longer be allowed to offer unhealthy “grab and go” options like sausage rolls and pizza all week.
The Liberal Democrats said funding needed to match rising costs for school meals. The Green Party said cutting unhealthy food from the menu was “welcome and long overdue”.