Every child should have the chance to develop in the best possible way.
This is why the ministry of Education, Culture and Science has joined hands with the Dutch Youth Education Fund (Jeugdeducatiefonds) and the Netherlands Red Cross. Together, they want to ensure that no child is hungry at school. That’s why they launched an initiative called the School Meals Programme. The aim is that in 2023 as many students as possible will go to school with a full belly so that they can attend classes full of energy.
School meals programme
Enough food, better focus
Every single child should be given the chance to develop in the best possible way. Regardless of the place someone grows up or how much money the parents or carers earn. Today, the high cost of food and energy leaves many households with serious financial concerns. Increasingly frequently, children are hungry when they attend school. A full stomach is a must for efficient learning. This way, a child can get to work at school feeling energetic and stress-free.
Every single child should be given the chance to develop in the best possible way. Regardless of the place someone grows up or how much money the parents or carers earn. Today, the high cost of food and energy leaves many households with serious financial concerns. Increasingly frequently, children are hungry when they attend school. A full stomach is a must for efficient learning. This way, a child can get to work at school feeling energetic and stress-free.
Programme and possibilities
The School Meals Programme offers several choices. It helps schools explore which method best suits their wishes, students and possibilities. When registering, schools can choose from the following:
- Meals at school – the school provides the meal and receives payment for this.
- Provide parents/carers with a grocery card. The card is worth money that parents/carers can use to buy additional food for their school-going children.
Food for children at school
The government works together with the Youth Education Fund and the Netherlands Red Cross to ensure that no child is hungry at school. This initiative is called the School Meals Programme. The goal is to help as many children and youths as possible in 2023 who need help the most, whether they go to primary or secondary school.
Who’s organising the School Meals Programme?
The School Meals Programme has been introduced by the Dutch government (under the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science). To set up this programme, the Youth Education Fund and the Netherlands Dutch Red Cross were asked to help. Both organisations have a lot of experience when it comes to helping people in need.
Information for schools
1st option: Meals at school
If the school chooses to provide food at school, it receives a budget to do so. This can be used in various ways. Schools choose the way that suits them best.
For instance:
- Organising breakfast or lunch at school, with the parents/carers’ support
- Prepare the food itself, together with the pupils (e.g. lessons about nutrition)
- Cooperate with local entrepreneurs/supermarkets
- Provide fruit
- Purchase food from a food delivery company
- Provide a cabinet/refrigerator at school with long-life products from which parents/carers/children can (anonymously) grab something to eat.
2nd option: Grocery card for parents/carers
If the school chooses personal support to parents/carers, these parents/carers receive a grocery card. The card is topped up with money with which they can buy food for their children in certain shops.
It works like this: firstly, the school signs up to join this programme. If the school’s request is approved, the school will receive more information. The school will then send an online registration form to the parents/carers who can register for the programme. The Netherlands Red Cross will then get in touch with the parents/carers, to explain the next steps. Conditions apply to make sure support is offered to those who need it the most.
Registration through the schools
Organising the food, or signing up for shopping cards takes place through the schools. From 29 March, schools can apply for the programme. Conditions apply so that the help reaches children who can best use it. Schools can apply via the registration form.
Should you decide to register for the programme, you will be needing the report issued by the Nationaal Cohortonderzoek Onderwijs (National Cohort Study on Education – NCO). This report shows a percentage of ‘Pupils from low-income families’, which needs to be included in the application. Please make sure you use the 2022 report to include the correct percentage. Click here for more information about the NCO and where this percentage can be found in the report.
More information
More information for schools? Click here.
More information for parents/carers? Click here.
Do you have any questions or want to get in touch?
School meals programme timeline
Schools can apply from 29 March 2023. The School Meals Programme will run until 31 December 2023. The sooner a school applies, the longer students can benefit from the programme.
Who are we?
Meet the Netherlands Red Cross
The Netherlands Red Cross is committed to helping people in need. It is the world’s largest voluntary association of people offering support. There is always someone near you to help you should you need any help. The Netherlands Red Cross wants to protect people from having to suffer. Therefore, special attention is dedicated to the most vulnerable. In case of an emergency, the Netherlands Red Cross aims to improve the situation for everyone involved. This is always done respectfully. No one should stand alone in times of need.
Meet the Youth Education Fund
Each child should have the opportunity of developing to the best of his/her potential. The Youth Education Fund increases opportunities for children growing up in poverty by partnering with schools. Do the majority of the pupils come from low-income families? If so, the Youth Education Fund offers additional support and funding. This allows schools to give children what they need. This may take the form of individual support, such as glasses, books or money for a school trip. Or support for the whole class, such as learning materials, food and drink or extra tuition. The school and the children are always the primary focus of this approach.
