30 new schools will benefit from Tasmania’s healthy school lunch program

15 new schools are to join a program providing Tasmanian students with free, healthy lunches.

Tasmania’s Education Minister Jo Palmer said the number of schools on the Healthy School Lunch Scheme would double from 30 to 60 schools by 2026.

Thanks to the enhanced program that keeps little tummies full, thousands of children will receive nutritious, hot lunches following the success of the first pilot.

“We have heard from teachers and principals that children are calmer, that they absorb information and learn better in the classroom,” said Minister Palmer.

“We have also heard from our school gardeners that there is less rubbish on the school playground on hot lunch days.”

The expansion is part of a $14.6 million investment over the next two years, which includes $600,000 to upgrade infrastructure so that schools without adequate equipment can continue to participate in the program.

Julie Dunbabin, school lunch program manager for food at the school, said the program encourages children to try new foods and develop their taste buds “beyond chicken nuggets and party cakes.”

“All the food is made from scratch. This is not processed food straight from the factory,” she said.

“For us, the most beautiful thing is when we see all the children sitting, eating and tasting the food.”

“Sometimes they don’t like it the first time, and that’s okay. But as the year goes on, we see that children enjoy this dish because they see their friends eating it.”

The next group of schools that will join the program are:
Primary School in Baghdad
District School in Campania
Dover District School
Goodwood Primary School
Hillcrest Primary School
Kingston Primary School
Moonah Primary School
Port Dalrymple Primary School
Ravenswood Heights Elementary School
Risdon Vale Primary School
Romaine Park Primary School
Springfield Gardens Primary School
Tasman District School
West Ulverstone Primary School
Zeehan Primary School