The cornerstone of unity

73 FREE SCHOOL MEALS
Students in Finland in comprehensive schools, high schools and vocational institutions are provided with a free 
daily meal on schooldays. School catering has a long history, having been officially regulated for almost a 
hundred years, and in the 21st century it still plays a fundamental part in student welfare. 
In Finland the importance of school meals to an improved learning capacity was understood as early as the 
17th century, when schoolboys received food and other items as aid as they went around the countryside. 
School kitchens were considered necessary to promote Latin language studies. School meals were discussed 
for the first time in the Elementary School Convention of 1896, and the state started to subsidise them in 1913. 
Preparations for new legislation started in the 1930s when the National Board of General Education published 
a book on primary school children’s nutrition, which declared that there was no doubt about the necessity of 
school meals. 
In 1943 Finland was the first country in the world to enact a law on free school meals for all pupils, who were 
obliged to do a reasonable amount of work outside school hours to grow and collect food for the school kitchen. 
The goal of providing every pupil in compulsory education with a free school meal on every school day within 
five years was realised in 1948, and the system has endured to this day. 
Regulations pertaining to education have since been reformed and specified, which has meant more 
guidance on practical school meal arrangements. At present the free school meal is eaten by approximately 
900,000 children and young people on a daily basis. 
The school catering system guarantees students a free and balanced warm meal on every school day, 
providing for student health and at the same time the well-being of the whole school community. School catering 
and monitoring the health of pupils on special diet are a natural part of student welfare work. 
The Finnish school meal is versatile and balanced, and the catering is designed to promote the health, growth 
and development of pupils with regards to their age and condition. School meals cover part of children’s and 
young people’s daily nutritional requirements and complement other meals consumed during the day. Attention 
is paid to the provision of a healthy, versatile and attractive dish with optional ingredients. Apart from providing 
an enjoyable meal, attention is also paid to a clean and pleasant dining environment, and peaceful, unhurried 
dining. Pupils can participate in the catering system by e.g. helping and guiding younger pupils or by doing their 
work experience placement in the school kitchen. Pupils’ participation in the practical arrangements contributes 

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to their appreciation of the meal and the promotion of joint responsibility. 
School catering is also an elemental part of Finnish food culture. School meals generally consist of basic 
Finnish food; a good meal includes a warm dish, a salad, grated vegetables or a piece of fresh fruit or vegetable, 
bread, margarine and a drink. National, local and seasonal variations are taken into account in the menu, which 
is developed together with pupils and staff as well as parents. Theme days are organised to break the routine, 
traditional festival meals are served where applicable, and international food and customs are explored. 
The school meal is designed to complement the rhythm of the school day, and the current debate is leaning 
towards offering the pupil a nutritious and balanced snack in a pleasant environment in accordance with their 
schedule. The options are a free or paid school snack or a packed snack from home. Pupils who participate in 
morning or afternoon activities are always served a snack. 
School meals are also an integral part of pupils’ education and upbringing, which is the joint responsibility of 
schools and families. They have a key role in this process because eating habits learned at an early age can 
have lifelong health effects. In the 21st century there has been a growing concern over increasing levels of 
obesity among schoolchildren, and school education is seen as vital weapon in curbing this trend. The daily 
rhythm, food and exercise should be balanced in such a way as to promote both learning and well-being at 
school, and support the integral structure of children’s working days. A free warm school meal is thus one of our 
secrets for engendering successful learning, know-how and well-being. 
Kirsi Lindroos 
– General director,
Finnish National Board of Education 2003
–2007