School meals in Austria: Many children eat in the hallway!

School meals in Austria: Many children eat in the hallway!

In Austria, around 190,000 elementary school children receive their lunch at school every day. In this context, the SIPCAN school lunch report shows that almost all primary schools offer lunch, but rarely have any influence on the menu. Over 60 percent of schools only offer one main course, and only about one in 25 schools have the freedom to design their own menu plan. In around 18 percent of cases, external providers create the menu plans, with 90 percent of elementary schools in Vienna in particular being supplied by caterers. In more rural areas, such as Lower Austria and Burgenland, many schools receive their food directly from the inn.

Lunch often takes place in less suitable rooms; 44 percent of elementary schools do not have their own dining room, which means that children have to eat in the workroom or in the hallways. On average, the children have around 42 minutes for lunch. In Vienna this time is reduced to just 34 minutes. This situation raises questions about the quality and adequacy of meals, as not all providers offer healthy options.

An overview of the lunch menu

In addition to the situation at primary schools, a wide-ranging study shows that one in three schools in Austria does not offer lunch. Over 140,000 students are affected by this lack of food. According to the study results, which also concern secondary schools I and II, the offer rates vary depending on the type of school. Overall, 68 percent of schools offer a warm lunch, although this rate in general secondary schools (AHS) is significantly higher at 94 percent than, for example, in vocational middle and higher schools (BMHS), where only 56 percent of schools provide such an offer.

However, use of the existing lunch options is low; Only 31 percent of students use this, with usage varying from 17 percent to 51 percent depending on the federal state. Only 36 percent of schools with a lunch menu offer health-recommended options. In addition, 64 percent of schools are not subject to external controls regarding their meals.

Call for improvements

The study results not only show shortcomings, but also the urgent need for changes. Demands for free lunches, especially for children from households at risk of poverty, are becoming louder. Instead, over 20 percent of children under 18 in Austria are at risk of poverty. The Federal Government's National Action Plan includes “healthy school meals” as a central point for health promotion. The strategy is to be implemented by 2024, with the aim of nationwide rollout by 2030.

The current situation with school meals, as documented in the school meal report, illustrates the need for action and calls on all decision-makers to work for sustainable improvement. The support of organizations like SIPCAN could continue to be crucial in the future in order to optimize the catering situation at schools in Austria. Further information and details about the results are available here orf.at and commongutessen.de available.