School meals should be nothing less than nourishing

Free school meals are a chance to train children's evolving palates away from ultra-processed, nutrient-poor foods and towards whole foods that will nourish them. Anything less is a waste of public money 

Surely we can do better for children than processed chicken and ketchup? Picture: iStock

Every child has a right to healthy, nutritious food, but in Ireland, up to three in 10 children are living in food poverty. Children experiencing food poverty are more likely to live with health issues, because highly processed, energy dense and nutrient poor foods are cheaper and more accessible than healthier foods. 

Poor diet is a major health issue, burdening the next generation with chronic disease. The Government’s hot school meals scheme can address this, by providing children with the nutritious food they need to learn and thrive. Ultra-processed, nutrient poor foods have no place in the scheme.