Table 4.

School meal provision frame work table for high-income countries.

(High income)	England	France	Italy	Finland	USA
Aims and objectives	“Promoting education and health of children and young people by improving the quality of food supplied and consumed in schools” (19)	To ensure that schoolchildren receive essential and high-quality nutrients; current school lunches found to be often high in fat and protein and low in dairy products, fruits, and vegetables (19)	Great emphasis on organic food and sustainability; promotion of Italian farming practices and the Italian diet and food culture (19)	To ensure students in schools and sixth form colleges receive high quality nutritious food; to support the learning of manners and Finnish customs (19)	Improving the health and well-being of the schoolchildren (19)
Policy	The School Food Trust (SFT) was set up by the DfES in 2005 to achieve above-mentioned aim	Ministry of National Education and Minister for Research have set out non-compulsory nutrient and food-based guidelines	The Finance Law 488 ensures that regional and organic sourced foods are promoted	All students in schools and sixth form colleges are entitled to a free meal (19). The meal is required to fulfill one third of the pupil’s RDA	National School Lunch Act passed to achieve above-mentioned aim (29)
Implementation and delivery	Catering is provided by the LA or through private catering service. Las either offer an in-house catering service or a centrally procured private contractor (21) Meals are usually served canteen style and some pupils bring packed lunches from home	Local councils in charge of providing meals. An increase in contracting meals out to private caterers (26) Majority of schools operate a canteen style service. Vending machines are banned in schools (28). If schools do not serve breakfast, guidelines suggest, serve food, preferably a diary product, at least 2 h prior to lunch time (60).	The Italian government invests on ingredients and the school meal service (36). Local authorities purchase food-stuff for meal preparation. Young schoolchildren (aged 2–14) sit at round tables, table cloths, crockery and silverware, and they are served a three course meal with teachers often joining them (36).	Each municipality is responsible for organizing the meals (40). Meals are provided either by the municipality council or a private catering company (19) Cafeteria style service Packed lunches are not allowed (19)	At the federal level, the USDA administers the National School Breakfast Programme and the National School Lunch Programme, whereas at the local level, state education agencies operate the programs (29) Majority operate a canteen style service

This table compares the aims and objectives, policy and implementation, and delivery of service between high-income countries.