Children who arrive at school on an empty stomach: it should not happen, but unfortunately it does. And as food prices rise, the problem is growing. Now that the government is making funds available for free school meals, more schools will probably start offering them. I would like to tell those schools: seize this opportunity to give all children a healthy foundation.
By now, 500 primary schools have started offering a free school breakfast. These are schools with a large number of vulnerable pupils. They will receive €5 million for this. The government also wants to make €100 million available to enable free lunches at primary schools. This should prevent children from going to school without food and ensure that they eat healthily—or at least more healthily.
The first point is obviously very important, but in my opinion the second point deserves just as much attention. A stomach filled with healthy products offers children much more than just a full stomach. Moreover, I believe we should strive for a healthy foundation for all children in the Netherlands. A free breakfast and/or lunch at school can make an important contribution to this.
Reducing social differences
Primary-school-aged children are growing and developing rapidly. It is therefore important that they get all the nutrients they need. Healthy school meals provide children with those important nutrients and enough energy to learn and play throughout the day. They also contribute to their well-being.
But eating at school offers more opportunities. It can also reduce inequality among pupils.
When children bring their own food and drinks to school, there can be major differences between them. One child may be given a healthy lunch, while another eats white bread with chocolate spread or perhaps finds only a biscuit or crisps in their lunchbox. This may be related to the financial situation at home, but also to knowledge and skills concerning healthy eating.
It seems obvious that if all children have access to healthy meals at school, this will reduce social inequalities in food intake. Studies from, for example, England and Norway have found positive effects of a healthy school lunch in reducing inequality between social classes.
Build a delicious sandwich!
Providing a school breakfast or school lunch also offers opportunities to integrate lessons about healthy nutrition and the development of food skills. Think of involving children in preparing the food, letting them taste new things, or discussing food choices at, for example, a buffet. This way, they immediately learn more about healthy eating.
At a buffet with products from the Wheel of Five, children have plenty of healthy and tasty options to choose from. Think of whole-wheat and brown bread with low-fat margarine and toppings such as 100% peanut butter, 30+ cheese, vegetables and fruit. You can go a step further and add extra flavourings such as herbs, unsalted nuts, seeds and kernels.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre has developed a handy sandwich builder for this purpose: Sandwich Builder
Moreover, with a shared school meal, the mealtime takes centre stage. This can create more peace and quiet, as well as a pleasant atmosphere. By taking time to eat, children are more likely to eat more of the healthy foods you offer. For example, my own children sometimes come home with a half-full lunchbox because they have not had enough time to finish everything.
For schools already struggling with staff shortages and time pressure, providing a meal may feel like an additional burden. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre is happy to help organise a breakfast or lunch with useful tips and inspiration, explanations of the necessary supplies, and clear guidelines. So there is no need to figure out and plan everything entirely on your own.