A simple change quadrupled vegetarian meals in Finnish schools

Vegetarian meals in Finnish schools have quadrupled in popularity in the municipality of Kontiolahti after a simple change: every pupil can now freely choose between a meat-based and a meat-free lunch every day.

Since the system was introduced during the previous school year, the municipality says it is preparing four times as much vegetarian food as before, while food waste has barely increased, according to Yle.

At schools in Kontiolahti, in eastern Finland, pupils can choose the vegetarian dish, the meat dish or take some of both. They can also return for another serving.

Previously, the vegetarian option was prepared daily mainly for pupils who had specifically registered a vegetarian diet.

A simple choice changed what pupils eat

Kontiolahti food services manager Sirpa Laakkonen told Yle that between 15 and 30 percent of pupils now choose the vegetarian option, depending on the day.

“I would say the secret to the success is that nobody is forced to eat in a certain way.”

The municipality has also deliberately stopped labelling the meals as “vegetarian” and “meat”. Instead, the two alternatives are simply presented as “lunch 1” and “lunch 2”.

Laakkonen said the aim is to make choosing plant-based food feel like an ordinary part of school meals rather than a special dietary choice.

The change was introduced largely in response to Finland’s national nutrition recommendations, updated in 2024. They encourage a more plant-based diet, with greater consumption of vegetables, legumes, whole grains and sustainably sourced fish and less red and processed meat.

The Finnish recommendations are based on the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations 2023, reflecting a broader shift across the Nordic countries towards diets intended to take both health and environmental sustainability into account.

Finnish schools are still adapting to the recommendations

Finland has a long-established system of free school meals, and pupils are entitled to a free, balanced meal on every school day.

But implementing the country’s detailed school meal recommendations remains uneven. The Finnish National Agency for Education reported in May 2026 that only 13 percent of schools fully followed the school meal recommendation.

That measure covers more than nutritional content. It also includes factors such as whether pupils are given enough time to eat and whether the dining environment is appropriate.

University of Eastern Finland professor of nutrition therapy Ursula Schwab, speaking to Yle, described Kontiolahti’s approach as a model worth considering elsewhere.

“Children have the right to receive nutritious food that follows the recommendations. Kontiolahti’s arrangement sounds very good.”

More choice without higher costs

Offering two alternatives every day has not substantially increased costs either, according to the municipality.

The raw ingredient cost of a school meal in Kontiolahti ranges from €0.40 to €2.10. Laakkonen said plant-based dishes are generally slightly more expensive, but overall expenditure has not risen because food waste has remained stable and meal planning has adapted to demand.

The municipality says popular meat-free dishes include vegan nuggets, spinach and cottage-cheese bites, pasta bakes and spinach pancakes.

Finland’s education authorities describe school meals not only as a nutritional service but also as part of education itself. The Finnish Food Authority says meals give children an opportunity to become familiar with new ingredients, tastes and eating habits.

Kontiolahti’s experience suggests that one way of encouraging that process may be particularly straightforward: putting both options next to each other and allowing pupils to decide.