May 2007 New SFT research reveals England leads Europe in school food standards but Finland and Sweden are top of the class for take-up.
The aim of the paper is to compare the modes of provision of school food (primarily at lunch time) and the food and nutrient based standards and guidelines that have been introduced in England and other Western countries. Comparisons are also made regarding the cost of the meals and other approaches that schools have introduced to improve eating habits.
The report reveals that England has the most comprehensive school food standards when compared with leading countries in Europe, as well as the US, Canada and Australia. The research also provided food for thought for policy makers, keen to increase the take-up of school food, revealing that Sweden and Finland, who provide free school meals for all their pupils, had the highest take up rates (85% and 90% respectively).
This paper was extended in July 2008 and now includes 18 countries. see The provision of school food in 18 countries
www.schoolfoodtrust.org.uk/documents/18countries
