Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

In this research, the author focuses on how school food programs affect local food culture in Malmö, Sweden, which
is a diverse city with a diverse culinary image. Focusing on nutritional and cultural compatibility, the study explores
the role of school meals in children’s food choices and their relation to everyday food routines. In this study, parents’
perceptions of school meals influence on children’s dietary habits were analysed from a cross-sectional quantitative
survey that generated data from 100 out of 377 targeted parents. Based on frameworks in food education, socialization
and cultural food systems, the study relates the school food environment to the culturally diverse food context in
Malmö.
Results show a significant relationship between school food policies and local food practices, which implies that
school food indeed plays a role in shaping children’s food preferences as influenced by culture. However, some of the
issues highlighted include the insufficiency of cultural diversity in school meals. This study supports the fact that there
is a great need for establishing policies that would seek to ensure that adequate attention has been placed on making
the meals served in school healthy as well as sensitive to diverse cultures. Some of the recommendations are to
incorporate local and traditional foods in the provision of food to learners or schools, increase awareness of cultural
food, and enhance parental contribution to healthy and culturally appropriate foods in schools.