Health and Well-being for Children since 1948.

Finland has been offering free food to pupils since the 1920s. However, the meal was only offered for the most economically disadvantaged pupils. In 1948 a law for free-of-charge school meal for every pupil became effective. From thereon Finnish school meal system has been improved upon with new legislations and National Nutrition Council. Now, for over 70 years, every Finnish child is entitled to a free, healthy and comprehensive daily school meal in both primary and secondary school.

School meal system in Finland is integrated to education plan. During comprehensive school children will learn basics about the Finnish food culture and food education as well as basics in healthy nutrition. The school meal is the only warm meal of the day for some pupils, and it should cover one third of the nutritional needs of the pupil. Every school makes an action plan for food education individually taking health, nutrition and behavioral education into account.

The free school lunches, as well as lessons in home economics, encourage children to follow a balanced diet. The knowledge on food gained as a child helps one to make wholesome nutritional decisions later in life.

It is municipalities responsibility to offer school meal in thein region, but they have vast amount of independence in arranging school feeding. Objective is however always to arrange structured and supervised mealtime lasting minimum of 30 minutes. Children are used to eat municipal provided food during the day. In kindergarten, the same system and legislations apply, but the meals are included in the day-care fee. During 12 years of comprehensive and upper secondary or vocational school the meal is free every school day. In higher education, students get substantial meal subsidy. When in work life, many people use workplace canteens maintaining the same healthy eating habits learnt as a child.

The way Finland has structured school meal is unique success story, which have affected both health and academic success of Finnish people for decades. There are many policies, councils and institutions affecting school meal. The web of cooperation of experts behind pupil taking the meal tray in their hand is unmatched.