Getting started with your grocery card

Is your school part of the School Meals Programme and do you already have a grocery card? Then watch the video ‘How to use the grocery card’

Healthy and varied eating

Your child is growing and developing quickly. Healthy and varied eating gives children the energy to grow, learn, and play. The following examples of healthy and varied foods can be bought with the grocery card budget.

Examples of snacks for school:

  • Fruit, such as apples, pears, bananas, kiwis, grapes, strawberries, and mandarins.
  • Dried fruit, such as a box of raisins or a handful of apricots or dates.
  • Vegetables, such as carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, and radishes.
  • A handful of unsalted nuts, such as walnuts, peanuts, or hazelnuts.
  • Whole grain or brown bread, whole grain crispbread, or a whole grain muesli roll with, for example, 100% peanut butter, light cream cheese, or 30+ cheese.

Examples of a lunch for school:

  • Whole grain or brown (Turkish) bread, whole grain crispbread, or a whole grain muesli roll.
  • Spread with low-fat margarine or margarine from a tub.
  • Inspiration for healthy toppings includes:
    • 20+ and 30+ (spreadable) cheese, egg, cottage cheese, and light cream cheese.
    • 100% nut paste or peanut butter (without added salt or sugar).
    • Vegetables and fruit, such as tomato, cucumber, bell pepper, banana, apple, and strawberry. Delicious as a topping or on the side!
    • You can alternate with hummus, apple syrup, or jam on bread.

Tip: Also check out Eten meegeven naar de basisschool | Voedingscentrum for more tips and inspiration to take to school.

Sample grocery list for the grocery card

With bread

This grocery list contains examples of food you can buy for your child to eat at school. Most of the products – like wholemeal products, fruit and vegetables – are from the Wheel of Five.

Are you wondering which other products are healthy options for children? Take a look at the website of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre or scan a product’s barcode with the free ‘Kies ik Gezond? app

with wraps and tasty and healthy snacks

This grocery list contains all the ingredients you will need to create wraps and tasty snacks for your child to eat on the go.

To get the recipe for this carrot and hummus whole-meal tortilla, visit the website of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

With couscous salad

The grocery list contains all the ingredients you will need to create a delicious couscous salad for your child.

To get the recipe for this tomato and egg couscous salad, visit the website of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre.

”It’s nice to know that you can take better care of your children and that they receive the vitamins that they deserve.”

Do you need help?

On this page, you will find a list of questions and answers.

For questions about the grocery card, you can contact the customer service by phone, SMS, or WhatsApp at 097 010 204 851 (open Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00). Or click here for the contact form.

Stories

13 February 2025

How shame creates a barrier for people in food poverty

Nora (41), a single mother of three children (aged 2, 6, and 11), faces the challenges of financial uncertainty. Despite her income, she has to be creative with her limited budget for her children. Nora says, ‘The last 4-5 days of the month are tight. At that point, I check how much money is left and what I still need. I have to shop very consciously. Despite financial difficulties, Nora remains positive and finds creative solutions to make ends meet. For example, she makes a weekly menu and actively looks for special offers. “Nine times out of ten, the kids still find the crisis meals the tastiest,” Nora says with a laugh.

17 September 2024

How a Heart Attack Brought Amparo’s Family into Food Insecurity

Amparo de Bruijn-Wols (35) and her family were thriving. With a flourishing business, they felt they could conquer the world together. But when her husband ended up in the hospital due to a heart attack, everything collapsed. Amparo had to file for bankruptcy for the company. “Suddenly, we had a gap of 1,500 euros per month.” The family – with three children – faced significant financial problems due to the father’s health, but they couldn’t find any place to get help: “We were always left out because we didn’t meet all the conditions,” Amparo explains. It became increasingly difficult to provide the children with enough and varied food to take to school. “Your children come first, no matter what. But you are constantly trying to piece things together and fill gaps to feed them.”

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