The data, generated by LACA members around the country, reflect only the first week back at the beginning of September and are largely in line with the experience in Scotland, where schools returned in mid-August.
Free School Meals uptake is slightly higher at 72% and universal infant free school meals figures are a shade above that at just over 75%.
Where local authorities where able to break down this early data still further, it showed that just over a half of the meals being served were cooked, although one area was able to report a 94% figure for hot food.
Jacquie Blake, LACA vice chair, said: “The data shows that LACA members around the country are working exceptionally hard to adapt to the different requirements of each school to meet current Covid-19 guidelines, with the number of school meals served at 70% of pre-Covid levels. The data includes classroom service and a combination of hot and packed lunches.
“While it is disappointing to see that school meal uptake in England dropped by 30% in the first full week back at school – as was the case in Scotland – we understand that schools, caterers and parents face challenges in adjusting to a new system.”
“As we move into the colder months, it is important that schools, where they can, return to providing hot lunches for children. This is why, on October 1st, LACA is launching our new ‘Hot’ober’ initiative to encourage school caterers to return to serving hot cooked meals.
“We would like to see as many schools as possible allow hot meals to be served on Thursday, which is the autumn term school census day.
“While this might not be possible for all schools on that date, it is of paramount importance that all children receive the balanced nutritional benefits afforded to them by a hot, healthy lunch.”
In Scotland the new academic year began on August 18th, with early returns showing that meals served were running at two-thirds (66%) of levels recorded before the lockdown in March.
The figures from local authority meal providers around Scotland were compiled by ASSIST FM.
Of the meals served, 75% of them were cold, with 60% of schools that contributed figures to the data serving only a cold meal option initially.
Among pupils entitled to Free School Meals, uptake was down only 20% compared to pre-Covid levels.