Call to drop lunchboxes, introduce canteen meals in Australian schools | ABC News

Summary

A school in Hobart has created a daily lunch program that ensures every student gets a nutritious meal, aiming to eliminate food insecurity. What began as a weekly meal offering from fresh ingredients has grown to serve the entire school every day. The initiative, led by Scott Hutchison, has positively impacted students' behavior and well-being. Julie Dan Bobbin, head of Tasmania's School Canteen Association, advocates for a similar nationwide approach, highlighting the success of school lunch programs worldwide. The program not only promotes healthier eating but also fosters social skills, community, and relief for time-poor parents.

Takeaways

• 😀 The school in Hobart's northern suburbs started a lunch program to address food security for students, ensuring they have access to a nutritious meal each day.
• 😀 The program began when students began knocking on the canteen door asking for food, prompting the school to provide one meal a week using fresh ingredients from the school farm.
• 😀 The lunch program quickly expanded, eventually feeding the entire school every day, improving student behavior post-lunch.
• 😀 Students enjoy participating in the lunch program, with some even helping to cook, and they appreciate not having to bring their own lunch.
• 😀 The head of Tasmania's school canteen association advocates for a nationwide program to provide every child with a nutritious meal for just $3 per day.
• 😀 Julie Dan Babbin, an expert in school lunch programs, has researched programs across the US, UK, Europe, and Asia as part of a Churchill Fellowship.
• 😀 Research shows that providing school lunches not only guarantees a nutritious meal but also helps develop social skills in children, such as using knives, forks, and pouring water for others.
• 😀 A study conducted by ABC in Melbourne revealed that many students primarily eat white bread sandwiches and processed foods, indicating a need for more nutritious options.
• 😀 Ditching the lunchbox altogether in favor of a school-provided meal can be a time-saving solution for busy parents, ensuring their children eat well during the school day.
• 😀 The program is not only beneficial for the students but also makes parents happy as it alleviates the daily task of preparing lunches and guarantees their child's nutrition.

Q & A

What prompted Scott Hutchison to start serving meals at the school?

Scott Hutchison started serving meals after students began knocking on the canteen door asking for food. This led him to initiate a weekly meal program using fresh ingredients from the school farm.

How did the school lunch program evolve over time?

Initially, Scott Hutchison served one meal per week, but the program quickly grew and eventually started providing meals every day for all students during class time.

What impact has the lunch program had on student behavior?

The lunch program has improved student behavior significantly, with students having full bellies and showing better behavior after lunch.

What does one of the students think about the lunch program?

One student expressed that they enjoy helping with cooking and that sometimes the meals are really good, though sometimes just okay. The program also means they no longer have to make their own lunch.

What is the head of Tasmania's School Canteen Association's vision for Australian students?

Julie Dan Babbin, the head of Tasmania's School Canteen Association, believes all Australian students should be able to eat nutritious meals at school every day. She estimates that it would cost only $3 per student to provide a nutritious meal.

What research has Julie Dan Babbin conducted in relation to school lunch programs?

Julie Dan Babbin has researched school lunch programs in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia as part of a Churchill Fellowship. Her research focuses on improving school lunches and food security for students.

What are the benefits of serving lunches at school, according to Julie Dan Babbin?

Julie Dan Babbin highlights several benefits, including reduced litter and ensuring that students receive at least one nutritious meal every school day. Additionally, it helps children develop social skills, like using knives and forks and serving each other.

What was the finding of the ABC lunchbox study in Melbourne?

The ABC lunchbox study in Melbourne found that students, regardless of their area, were mostly eating white bread sandwiches and highly processed foods. This suggests a lack of nutritious options in many children's lunches.

How can eliminating lunchboxes benefit parents?

Eliminating lunchboxes can be a simple solution for time-poor parents. If they know their child is receiving a nutritious meal at school, they don't need to worry about preparing or baking lunches.

What does Julie Dan Babbin believe would make parents happier?

Julie Dan Babbin believes that if parents knew their children were being well-fed at school, it would make them much happier and reduce the stress of having to prepare lunch every day.