The organisations are ‘happy and relieved’ that the Schoof cabinet has decided to continue the School Meals Programme. For 350,000 children, this means the difference between sitting in class hungry or not. The decision is also a great relief for the teachers at the more than 2,200 participating schools. Thanks to the food, children have more energy in class, can concentrate better and participate more actively in lessons. Moreover, children have started eating a more varied and healthier diet. The Netherlands Red Cross and the Youth Education Fund are therefore extremely pleased that the cabinet also recognises that you cannot learn on an empty stomach.
Hans Spekman, director of the Youth Education Fund, is enthusiastic: “A wonderful decision. A great support for the children, parents and schools. It is also fantastic that the opposition and coalition consider school meals so important. A compliment to the politicians who know how to find common ground.”
Harm Goossens, director of the Netherlands Red Cross, echoes Spekman’s words: “Every child should be able to sit in class with a full stomach. Thanks to meals at school or the Red Cross grocery card, learning becomes easier, concentration improves and parents experience less stress. It is heartbreaking that so many parents still do not have enough money left over for food and that children depend on our assistance. If the cabinet actually decides that the School Meals Programme will continue, that is therefore good news. Children will at least continue to receive support next year.”
General background to the School Meals Programme
The School Meals Programme was launched in 2023 to prevent children from sitting hungry in class and to promote equal opportunities. The School Meals Programme is jointly implemented by the Netherlands Red Cross and the Youth Education Fund on behalf of the government. More than 2,200 schools participate in the programme. They provide meals to pupils (approximately two-thirds of the schools), or grocery cards to parents.
The School Meals Programme contributes to promoting equal opportunities, reducing (child) poverty and encouraging a healthy lifestyle among children. Research shows, among other things, that the programme does indeed help pupils concentrate better in class, that pupils eat more fruit and vegetables and that families experience less financial stress.