Evaluation report for the Tasmanian School Canteen Association’s 2020 School Lunch Pilot

Three schools in Southern Tasmania received funding and practical support from the Tasmanian School Canteen Association (TSCA) to prepare cooked lunches for 20 days for up to 60 students. The menu was based on the 2013 Australian Dietary Guidelines and included a main course and an accompaniment. The meals were prepared at each school. Key stakeholders (students, parents, canteen managers and volunteers, school principals, teachers and support staff) provided feedback on the School Lunch Pilot by participating in discussion groups, interviews or completing a short, written survey.

The aim of the Pilot was to test the feasibility and acceptability of providing cooked nutritious lunches in Tasmanian schools. The specific aims of the evaluation were to:

1. Determine what students, parents, canteen and school staff liked and disliked about the School Lunch Pilot

2. Identify the benefits and challenges the canteen/school staff observed with the School Lunch Pilot

3. Determine if school staff perceive any changes in behaviour or concentration among participating students

4. Determine the labour and food costs associated with providing the school lunches

5. Determine how much parents would be willing to pay if the school was to provide lunches on a regular basis