Working group on the development programme for school meals, school meals 2.0.
MMM036:00/2021 Development
On 12.10.21, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry appointed the working group of the school meal Development Programme; School meal 2.0.
Tasks of the working group:
• prepare a development programme for school meals
• promoting the practical implementation of the development proposals included in the programme
• promote cooperation related to school meals
Basic information Completed
Project number MMM036:00/2021
Case numbers VN/21882/2021
Set by Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Term/schedule 1.11.2021 – 31.3.2023
Date of appointment 12.10.2021
Goals and results
The key objective of the upcoming programme is to increase appreciation for school meals and participation in school meals as well as to develop practices related to school meals. The programme seeks solutions on the basis of which snacks can be brought to every school as part of school meals. The programme also aims to improve the domestic content, healthiness and ecological aspects of school meals and to develop equal and communal school meals. The programme covers themes related to school meals in comprehensive school and upper secondary education. The preparation of the programme should be completed in October 2022, and pupils must also be consulted during the work.
Starting points
Several studies show that not all pupils eat a full school lunch every day. There are also differences in municipal snack practices.
The objective of school meals is to promote and support the learning, wellbeing and healthy growth of children and young people (Finnish national Agency for Education 2016). School meals have been found to be linked to school performance and coping at school (Haapala et al. 2016, VRN 2017). School meals and food education are part of the school’s teaching and upbringing task and promote the wellbeing of the entire school Community (Finnish national Agency for Education 2016). School meals are a practical way of promoting the health and wellbeing of children and young people and supporting sustainable eating habits.
The establishment of the working group was based on a study by the Government’s analysis, assessment and research activities that examined the current practices of snacks to be consumed and offered in comprehensive schools, good operating models for providing snacks, utilisation of the EU-school distribution system and school meals during the emergency conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study produced a comprehensive description of the current state of school meals.
https://julkaisut.valtioneuvosto.fi/handle/10,024/163,084
The working group will work on proposals for developing the above-mentioned research.
Working group
Person
Role, Term
Viljanen, Kirsi
erityisasiantuntija
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Role: Project contact person
1.11.2021 – 31.3.2023
Developing and statute drafting in the Government
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