School meals – A Finnish Success Story

The school meal system plays an essential role in Finland’s educational system. Equal access to education and free-of-charge school meals have been key factors in supporting economic growth and transforming Finland into a knowledge-based society. Initially, school meals were introduced to address post-war poverty and malnutrition.  The law to provide meals free of charge for all pupils came into force nationwide in Finland in 1948.

For more than 70 years, Finland has been offering free school meals for all students – the longest-running free-of-charge school feeding programme in the world.

This two-page printable material offers some basic information on Finland’s model for school meals and what Finland can offer you. The material is produced by Education Finland.