Thousands of parents in Denmark will soon benefit from a large-scale pilot program providing school lunches, set to begin in the next school year across one in eight schools. The initiative aims to promote health, well-being, and learning among students and will continue until 2028, backed by an 854 million kroner investment.
The pilot program addresses issues such as children feeling embarrassed about their packed lunches and potentially skipping meals. Karen Wistoft, a professor of food science, notes the challenges parents face in creating appealing and nutritious packed lunches due to time and resource constraints. A survey indicates that many parents find packed lunches monotonous and time-consuming, with a significant portion of the contents often being discarded.
The unified meal setting fostered by the program is expected to encourage children to try new foods and enhance their concentration and social skills. Eating together with adults present can positively influence children’s eating habits.
However, the Danish Teachers’ Association (DLF) expresses reservations, arguing that the funds could be better allocated to address more pressing issues such as underqualified teachers and inadequate funding for inclusion programs. Regitze Flannov from DLF’s main board views the initiative as “symbolic politics” that overlooks fundamental challenges in primary schools, likening it to “eating whipped cream before rye bread.”
Studies indicate a decline in children’s health habits, with many not consuming enough fruits and vegetables or skipping breakfast. A recent survey reveals that a considerable percentage of fourth-grade students arrive at school hungry.
The school lunch program is supported by the government, Socialistisk Folkeparti (SF), and Radikale Venstre. While Dansk Folkeparti favors the concept, they believe parents should contribute to the cost. Liberal Alliance maintains that providing lunch is primarily the parents’ responsibility, suggesting local solutions for families with limited resources.
The food served will be healthy and climate-friendly, adhering to official dietary guidelines. At 70 percent of participating schools, the lunches will be free, while the remaining 30 percent will charge either 15 or 25 kroner.
The program’s success will be evaluated based on children’s feedback on the food quality and its impact on their well-being and classroom community. Rambøll Management Consulting, TrygFonden’s Children’s Research Center, and Copenhagen University College will oversee the evaluation, focusing on the program’s influence on students’ health and gathering practical insights.