School lunch program at Berkeley Public School

• The lunch program gave children nutritious cooked meals.
• The program ran for 20 minutes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in Terms 2 and 3, 2025.
• Children enjoyed the meals in a relaxed, social setting, with opportunities to try new foods.
• The menu was developed from existing school programs and children’s feedback.
• All meals were made from scratch on-site and met allergy and Halal guidelines.
• It was free to participate. 
• The program was supported by local health promotion staff and dietitians.

The program offered both practical and health benefits, supporting children’s wellbeing and success in school.

A similar program was tested in Tasmania. Some of the reported benefits include:

• All children get a healthy meal
• Chance for children to try new foods
• Helps children focus and concentrate in class
• Reduces food waste
• Helps children build social skills and friendships with other students and teachers
• Saves families time and money on preparing lunch every day.

Learn more about how the Tasmanian lunch project started. 

• Lunch was served during first break at 11am in the Kitchen Garden room.
• On arrival, children washed their hands and then sat at a table set for six children.
• The cook and helpers served the meal to the children on a plate.
• Children had 20 minutes to enjoy lunch in a social, pressure-free setting and chat with their friends.
• At the end of the meal break, children were asked to clear their plate and place setting.
• Children had the opportunity to provide feedback about each meal.
• Our goal was to create a positive, calm mealtime experience.

Pressure-free mealtimes

• Learning to eat different foods takes time and practice.
• Everyone had their own way of approaching new foods. Some children liked a new food right away, while others needed to try it many times before they were ready to taste it.
• Trying new foods was exciting for some children but felt scary or uncomfortable for others.
• We kept mealtimes relaxed and stress-free. This means trusting that students knew how much they want to eat and letting them have as much or as little as they felt like, without making any comments.

Will my child need to bring lunch from home?

• Lunch will be provided in the first break. Your child will only need to bring food for the second break.

What happens if my child doesn’t want to eat the food provided?

• Meals will include a familiar or "safe" food, like bread or fruit. Studies show that children are more likely to try new foods when they eat with their friends. Children will also have time to eat during the second break.

How do I know that the meals are nutritious and safe?

• All meals are planned by nutrition experts and follow food safety rules. The program makes sure the meals meet the dietary needs of children.

Can my child participate if they have food allergies or dietary restrictions?

• Yes, the meals can be adjusted for food allergies and dietary needs. Parents should let the school or program leaders know about any special requirements, and different meal options will be available for students with allergies or other dietary needs.

I have a child in another class, can they join their sibling for lunch?

• No, this is a trial, so the program will only be available to Year 1 students for now.

How can I provide feedback or ask further questions?

• You can ask questions during the program through your class teacher, who will contact the program coordinator. There will be opportunities to provide feedback at the end of the program through a survey.

Will my child be given time to play?

• Yes, after the 20-minute lunch session, there will be 20 minutes of playtime before the children return to class. They will also have another chance to play during the second break.