The Flemish government is releasing 70 million euros a year to increase supplies of healthy foods in nursery and primary schools Flemish well-being minister Caroline Gennez (socialist Vooruit) has announced. All cities and municipalities will be able to participate in the project. For this year, the government is providing 23 million euros.
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Flemish government frees 70 million euros a year for healthy food at school
Colin Clapson
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‘Every hungry child is one too many,’ says Flemish minister Caroline Gennez. 'And pupils who are hungry cannot concentrate in class. Neither can pupils who don’t eat healthily. Healthy food at school ensures better health, a better learning performance, a better education and more equal opportunities for all children. Every child we help advance in this way is a gain'.
1 in 10 Flemish children regularly experiences a lack of healthy or good food. Not only is this detrimental to their health, but it also leads to poorer school performances and undermines their development and opportunities.
From 23 this to 70 million euros next year
A budget of €23 million is planned for this year. From 2026, some €70 million will be invested annually. In consultation with primary schools, local authorities can apply for direct support. For every 100 euros Flemish government invests, cities and municipalities will add a minimum of around 70 euros. Schools are free to decide whether to participate and whether to charge parents a limited contribution.
They also decide how to use the budget. This can range from offering fruit, a bowl of soup, a breakfast package every day, or even a hot meal. A condition is that the offering consists of healthy, fibre-rich food, such as fruit and vegetables, and preferably local products.
There are already many similar initiatives in Flemish schools, each with their own emphases. This is happening in towns including Antwerp, Ghent, Leuven and Roeselare. Healthy meals have also been around for a while in Flemish schools in Brussels.
For every single child no matter their background
Flanders counts about 720,000 pupils in nursery and primary education. Ms Gennez believes it is important to provide a budget for every child, not just children from underprivileged families. ‘Every child, whether they have poor or rich parents, wherever they were born, has the right to healthy food and the many benefits it brings,’ says the minister.
‘This approach means, we are meeting the demand of schools for a tailor-made policy. We as a government provide support and create the necessary framework. Within this framework local authorities and schools are given the freedom to create their own offer tailored to local needs and their own capacities.’
Free school meals for every child at school: it was one of Flemish socialist Vooruit's key policy planks during last year's election campaign.