Push grows for nationwide adoption of free school lunches
A nationwide free school lunch program is being proposed in Australia, aiming to ease pressure on families and improve student wellbeing.
Australia is one of the few wealthy countries where students are not guaranteed a daily meal at school. But a growing push could change that.
In Tasmania, the School Food Matters initiative already provides around 21,500 freshly cooked lunches each week across 60 public schools. The program, launched in 2020, is largely funded by the state government.
Founder Julie Dunbabin wants to expand the model nationwide. Early feedback suggests better student behaviour, improved attendance, and stronger social connections.
Each meal costs about $10 to prepare. While currently free, a national rollout may include a small parent contribution around $5 per meal to help cover costs. This is still cheaper than the average lunch box, which can cost $7 to $11.
Experts say the issue is urgent. Rising living costs are making it harder for families to provide healthy food. Katherine Kent from the University of Wollongong notes many parents are struggling to pack nutritious lunches, which can affect children’s focus and learning.
Miriam Williams adds that missing a proper meal can impact students’ health, concentration, and overall wellbeing.
Countries like Japan, Sweden and Estonia already run universal school meal programs, highlighting what could be possible in Australia.
Source : ABC News
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