School food arrangement in Estonia Tagli Pitsi, PhD National Institute for Health Development, Estonia
Overview of the school food arrangement in Estonia School food requirements Supportive actions Concerns about school food Picture: http://tervis.postimees.ee/949272/uuringopilasi-hairib-jahtunud-ja-uksluine-koolitoit
Subsidised school lunch September 2002 classes 1-4 (10 EEK, ca 0,64 ) January 2006 classes 1-9 January 2015 classes 1-12 (0,78 since autumn 2011) School food is not always free for students. Subsidy covers only the costs of foods, other expenses (electricity, salary), should be paid by: local government or parents In some the schools students get also subsidised (by local government) breakfast porridge Benefits of school food arrangement: School food arrangement subsidised school lunch proper food during school day instead of less recommended snacks regulated energy and nutrient intake from school food
In addition to school lunch EU School Milk Programme classes 1-2 since 2001 classes 1-12 and kindergarten since 2008 In total >1000 child care institutions (incl 200 000 children and adolescence) EU School Fruit Programme classes 1-4 since 2009 classes 1-5 and kindergarten since 2012
School lunch requirements Regulated by the national legislation Health protection requirements applicable to catering in preschool child care institutions and schools The regulation identifies the general requirements applicable to: the organisation of catering, food providing principles in school, energy and nutrient content, preparation of menus, documentation, the presentation of nutritional information, dining rooms and the serving of meals. Every school canteen (caterer) should have menu at least for 10 days ahead correct recipes (calculation cards) for all the dishes in the menu
School lunch requirements Ten days average: 30-35% of recommended daily calories and nutrients Energy classes 1-3: 610 kcal per school lunch classes 4-6: 690 kcal per school lunch classes 7-9: 780 kcal per school lunch classes 10-12: 850 kcal per school lunch Macronutrients Proteins: 10-15 %E Fats: 28,5-32,5 %E Carbohydrates: 55-60 %E In addition requirements to fatty acids, fiber, some vitamins and minerals content
School lunch requirements The meals served in schools must be varied, balanced, healthy and tasty. High-fat fried meals are prohibited in schools Bread must be available on a daily basis Serving of vegetables every day Serving of fruits at least three times a week Serving of meals from fresh fish or fish products at least once a week Serving of frankfurters, cooked sausages and sauces made from them is limited to once a month Avoid products containing hydrogenated vegetable fats Water-based flavoured drinks, including energy and sports drinks which contain food colorants E 102, E 110, E 122, E 123, E 124, E 129, E 151, E 154, E 155, E 180 are prohibited
Supportive actions Trainings for school caterers Book of sample menus Contests The Best School Canteen and Lunch Break Web-pages www.toitumine.ee and www.terviseinfo.ee Posters on School Food theme Dietary Analysis Programme NutriData
Dietary Analysis Programme NutriData www.nutridata.ee NutriData consists of three parts: National Food Composition Database Dietary Analysis Programme Dietary Survey Database Free of charge In Estonian (Food Composition Database in English and Russian)
Dietary Analysis Programme Input of menus using recipes from database or user-made recipes Menu calculations Comparison of the results with nutrition recommendations Sample menus (school lunch, kindergarten) Calculators (BMI, energy need)
Dietary Analysis Programme menu entry
Dietary Analysis Programme recipe making
Dietary Analysis Programme results
Financial gap between the subsidy from Government and actual school lunch cost. No-one controls the actual use of money Food sold in school cafeteria and via vending machines are not strictly regulated School lunch time and duration Thermo food usage increases in order to optimize costs Taste of food and its appearance Concerns about school food Picture: http://piccsy.com/2014/02/sorry-the-kitchen-umran-out-of-sausage-burp
Thank You! tagli.pitsi@tai.ee