School meals

School meals

In Finland, you can eat free in school. School offers you a free meal from the 1st grade to the high school. This practice started in 1948, after the wars. The Finnish Parlament ordered that every elementary school kid should get a free meal. In 1972-1977 this practice was expanded to high schools and vocational schools.

The goal of a free school meal is to support student’s health and good manners. To the students who can’t eat ordinary food because of allergies, religious or ethical reasons, or health reasons, schools must offer a meal fulfilling special dietary requirements. Free school meals are immensely popular in Finland and out of all Finnish students, almost 85% eat a free meal every day.

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