Primary school pupils' participation in lunch increases

Pupil participation in school lunches in Hafnarfjörður's primary schools has increased this winter. On average, 75.51% of pupils in the primary schools are buying lunch, with 73% on a fixed subscription and approximately 31% buying meals on a casual basis. (daily choice). In total, just over 2,600 meals are served per day to primary school pupils in the seven schools that purchase food from Skólamat ehf, with a total of over 3,500 pupils taking part. One school, Áslandsskóli, is not included in these figures as it prepares its own meals for pupils, and pupil participation in the lunch is also good there.

This is an increase in participation from earlier this winter, but last autumn participation was at a low point, with just over 50% pupils buying their lunch. Following measures taken by the local council, it was thus possible to increase lunchtime participation back to its previous level.

It is the policy of the local council that pupils are offered a healthy and good lunch in primary schools. The Hafnarfjörður Education Council has also decided to establish a working group to review the implementation of catering in primary schools. It is with this in mind that further possibilities will be explored for individual schools to choose their own approaches to catering, whether to offer greater variety (e.g. in terms of vegetarian and vegan diets) and to create other conditions for primary schools to provide pupils with lunches that best meet their needs and nutritional requirements. Following the work of the task force, further discussion on the food issues will be brought into the school community of each primary school next academic year, before a decision is made on changes to the current arrangements.

In the attached photo, Kristinn Guðlaugsson, head teacher at Hvaleyrarskóli, is eating with pupils.