Schools in Imatra adopt early lunch schedules despite national guidelines on meal timing

At a schoolyard, the sounds of children playing on climbing frames can be heard, and morning dew glimmers on the leaves of nearby bushes. By ten o’clock, the bell rings, and first- and second-graders form lines in the cafeteria.

Many schools start lunch at ten o’clock, despite the Finnish National Agency for Education recommending a lunch break between 11 AM and 12 PM. According to the agency, lunchtime should align with students’ daily rhythms to effectively structure the school day.

Second-graders Elmeri Jokinen and Joel Järvinen, who arrive at school by nine, enjoy a hearty meal of meat sauce and potatoes after the bell. “As a first-grader, it felt a bit strange to have lunch so early, but you get used to it quickly,” Jokinen remarks.

Melissa Rantalainen, also a second-grader, often feels hungry right after school. “I quickly ride my bike home and eat noodles right away,” she says. Kids in lower grades usually have lunch first since their school day ends earlier. Today’s schedule for second-graders in Imatra allows them to leave by two, but they sometimes feel hungry during the school day due to the early lunch. “If you don’t run around a lot, you don’t get hungry easily. But if you’re active, then you do,” Järvinen explains.

School principals noted that larger student populations necessitate staggered lunch times, ensuring enough space for calm meals. “The greater the school, the more time meal organization requires,” says Anu Tiilikainen, principal of Kotkansaari School.

Nutritionist Tiia Järvinen-Jalassola stresses that children should eat every three to four hours and recommends parents pack snacks, especially if lunch is served early, to address potential hunger later in the school day.