Hot School Meals Must Put Children First – Healthier Food, More Choice and Less Waste

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has welcomed proposed changes to the Hot School Meals Programme, saying the focus must now be on delivering healthier food, greater choice and less waste for children and families.

Deputy O’Shea was speaking following the publication of the Department of Social Protection’s nutrition review of the Hot School Meals Programme and the results of a major national survey of parents, children, teachers and suppliers.

Deputy O’Shea said “The Hot School Meals Programme has been a hugely important initiative for families across Cork North West and right around the country. It provides a nutritious meal to children during the school day while also providing valuable support to families with the cost of living.

“I welcome the Minister’s decision to listen to parents, children, teachers and schools and to act on the feedback received.

“The message is very clear – we need to make sure that the food being provided is nutritious, appropriate for children and, importantly, food that children actually want to eat.

“There is no point providing a meal if a child does not like it or if significant amounts of food are being left uneaten. We need to get the balance right between nutrition, choice, quality and reducing waste.”

Deputy O’Shea particularly welcomed proposals for age-appropriate portion sizes and greater flexibility around hot and cold lunch options.

“Children of different ages have different nutritional needs and different appetites, so a one-size-fits-all approach to portion sizes does not make sense.

“Giving children greater choice, including the option of a healthy cold lunch, is also a practical step which can help ensure that more of the food provided is actually eaten.

“We also need to make sure that the nutritional quality of meals continues to improve, with healthy and balanced options, fresh fruit and vegetables and less reliance on highly processed foods.

“It is equally important that children with allergies and special dietary requirements are properly catered for.”

Deputy O’Shea said the publication of the review should now be followed by action.

“The nationwide rollout of the Hot School Meals Programme has been a major success, but we should not be afraid to look at what is working and what can be improved.

“We now have valuable feedback from parents, children, teachers and suppliers. We need to use that feedback to make the programme better.

“For families in Cork North West, this programme makes a real difference. I want to see these recommendations implemented properly and without unnecessary delay.

“Most importantly, we must keep children at the centre of this programme. They deserve healthy, nutritious food, they deserve choice and we should make every effort to ensure that good food does not end up going to waste.

“I will continue to engage with schools and families across Cork North West to ensure that the improvements being made nationally deliver for children locally,” concluded Deputy O’Shea.