Finnish school trial lets students choose lunch options to boost meal participation

A pilot programme at a secondary school in Lahti, Finland, has significantly increased student lunch participation by offering daily choices between traditional hot meals, filled sandwiches, and porridge, Yle reports.

At Kukkasen School, where upper-grade students previously ate school meals infrequently, the two-week trial has already shown promising results. On the most successful day, roughly 100 more students ate lunch compared to previous numbers—the school has around 400 pupils in total.

Ninth-grader Riia Matarainen said the new options address a common issue: “I’ve sometimes skipped meals or just eaten bread because the food was bad. Now at least I can eat something filling.” Eighth-grader Iitu Sihvonen added that filled sandwiches are ideal for lighter appetites, calling them “just the right amount.”

The trial, running until mid-April, requires students to pre-select their meal preference a week in advance. If successful, it will expand to two more schools in autumn. Officials are also considering whether sandwiches should be offered daily or if additional alternatives could be introduced.

Only eaten food counts

Maarit Tuomala-Nikkanen, service director for Päijät-Häme’s meal services, emphasised that the goal is to ensure students eat something—not just provide balanced options. “Only eaten food matters,” she said, noting that traditional lunches meet nutritional guidelines if students take all components, which rarely happens.

She acknowledged shifting youth eating habits, including a preference for quick, portable meals. “They want fast takeaway-style food. We’ve adapted to make sure they actually use the service,” she explained, adding that some students avoid the noisy cafeteria entirely.

The programme reflects broader trends: a 2023 survey by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) found only slightly over half of upper-secondary students ate school lunch daily, with girls participating even less. Other municipalities have tested solutions like teacher-led dining or smiley-face feedback systems to improve engagement.

Tuomala-Nikkanen stressed that school lunch is just one part of a balanced diet. “The point is that every student finds something to eat so they can last through the day,” she said.