Let's make all school cafeterias healthy

Published Feb 23, 2022

The 950th healthy school cafeteria is a fact. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre reports this. This ambition was included in the National Prevention Agreement. Since 2018, 950 schools have achieved one or more School Canteen Scales. This means that 50% of all school cafeterias are healthy.

Let's make all school cafeterias healthy

The Netherlands Nutrition Centre would like even more schools to participate and is therefore calling on schools to sign the Statement of Ambition.

This is what schools are signing up for

By signing, schools show that they will work towards a healthy school cafeteria in the coming years, based on the Guidelines for Food Environments in Schools. Schools decide for themselves what their ambition is: will they go for a silver, gold or ideal School Canteen Scale? Schools can set this ambition again each year. After signing, a Food Environment Advisor will contact the schools.

Progress visualised

Each year that schools achieve their ambition for a silver, gold or ideal cafeteria, they receive a School Canteen Scale to display on the collection board. Schools receive this board free of charge after signing the Statement of Ambition, so they can show everyone their healthy progress!

Freedom in what they do

By signing the ambition, schools endorse the shared objective and enable the Netherlands Nutrition Centre to show how many schools are participating. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre does not impose any requirements for signing.

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

After every holiday, a group goes through certain phases in the process of group formation. The first weeks at the beginning of the school year are called the Golden Weeks. These weeks are particularly suitable for laying a foundation for good group formation and a pleasant atmosphere. Stichting School & Veiligheid offers ten tips.

Our Food Week

From 3 to 10 October 2026, it is Our Food Week. A great opportunity to focus with your class at primary school on where our food comes from, how it is made and why healthy and sustainable choices are important. Food education allows pupils not only to learn, but especially to experience. That is why various organisations are joining forces to support schools with inspiring activities, teaching materials and practical tools. Examples include the Mayors’ Breakfast, a free visit to a farm, or shopping vouchers for cooking in the classroom.

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!

Would you like more water to be drunk in the new school year? Then put tap water in the spotlight with your class as a healthy and sustainable thirst quencher during National Tap Water Day on Wednesday 30 September. This way, your pupils will discover why tap water is healthy and how to turn it into a festive drink!

Latest articles

Ten tips for the Golden Weeks in primary education

Our Food Week

Join National Tap Water Day 2026 on 30 September!