Depending on the type of school and the services on offer, children and young people eat out several times a week. What ends up on their plates affects not only their health and well-being, but also their ability to concentrate and perform.
The Centre of Excellence for Institutional Catering supports educational establishments in implementing healthy and sustainable catering schemes. At www.gemeinsamessen.at, interested parties can find information, recommendations and practical guidance on institutional catering in nurseries and schools. The service is also aimed at parents and carers, who can find ideas, recipes and tips there for healthy eating as part of everyday family life.
School meals: More than just lunch
School catering encompasses far more than just a hot lunch. It also includes snacks brought from home and from the school canteen, drinks and snacks from vending machines, as well as the food and drink on offer at school events and celebrations.
This makes it all the more important that these options are designed to be appealing, healthy and sustainable. They shape the eating habits of children and young people and can make a significant contribution to their health.
Webinar: Making school canteens and vending machines healthy
Our webinar on 6 October 2026, from 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm, will focus on how to implement a healthy and varied range of food and drink options in schools.
Experienced advisers will provide practical insights and tips on designing health-promoting school canteens and stocking drinks and snack vending machines. Both experienced canteen operators and newcomers are invited. As well as expert input, the event will provide an opportunity for questions and sharing experiences.