Food impacts learning

What Parents Really Think About School Lunch Programs

There’s been growing conversation around school food programs in Australia — and for good reason.

Between busy family schedules, rising food costs, lunchbox waste, and increasing concerns around children’s wellbeing, many parents are asking an important question:

Could schools play a bigger role in supporting healthy eating?

Recently, I invited parents and caregivers to participate in a short survey exploring perspectives on School Food Lunch Programs ahead of the National School Food Summit in Tasmania.

And the results were incredibly interesting.

Parents are ready for change

One of the clearest findings was this:

58% of parents said they would be very likely to use a nutritious school lunch program.

That tells us something important. Families are looking for support, practical solutions, and healthier ways to help nourish children during the school day. But parents also made something else very clear. Food quality matters.

When asked about their biggest consideration before supporting a school lunch program, the top response was:

Food quality and nutrition standards

Parents don’t simply want convenience. They want:

• Nourishing food
• Quality ingredients
• Balanced meals
• Confidence in what children are eating

And honestly? I think that’s really encouraging. Because it shows families are thinking beyond simply “filling kids up” and are recognising the connection between nutrition, behaviour, learning and long-term health.

90% of parents agree food impacts learning

Perhaps the strongest finding from the survey was this:

90% of parents believe access to nourishing food during the school day significantly impacts children’s learning, behaviour and wellbeing.

As both parents and educators, we see this every day.

Children solely running on highly processed convenience foods are hungry, under-fuelled, dehydrated, overwhelmed...

Often struggling with: concentration, emotional regulation, sustained energy, resilience and learning

And yet food is still often viewed as separate from education.

The reality is: Food directly influences how children feel, behave and learn.

Schools are already shaping food culture

Sometimes schools feel hesitant to engage too deeply in food conversations because they worry it’s “not their role.”

But schools already influence food habits daily through:

• Canteens
• Lunch routines
• Rewards
• Class parties
• Fundraising
• Food language
• Sustainability initiatives

The question isn’t whether schools influence food culture.

They already do.

The question is: How can schools create environments that better support children’s wellbeing?

Beyond the lunchbox

Healthy school food culture isn’t about perfection. It’s not about policing lunchboxes or making parents feel judged.

It’s about:

• Food literacy
• Positive food environments
• Reducing waste
• Supporting wellbeing
• Helping children understand how food affects their bodies and minds

Because when children feel nourished, supported and empowered, everyone benefits.

A growing opportunity for schools

Schools have a powerful opportunity to:

• Support healthier habits
• Improve wellbeing outcomes
• Reduce lunchbox waste
• Build stronger school communities
• Create positive food conversations

And importantly — parents are ready for it.

Final thoughts

One thing these survey results made very clear is this: Families want schools to be part of the solution.

Not through pressure or perfection — but through practical education, supportive environments and positive leadership.

Because helping children build healthy relationships with food benefits not only their physical health, but their learning, confidence and wellbeing too. And that’s something worth investing in.

💛 Do you think your school could do more to support healthy eating, food literacy and sustainability?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.