The ‘Tasty School’ model is feasible for food education in primary schools

Abstract

Background: The 'Tasty School' is a tailored teacher-delivered food education model for primary schools in Finland. The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of the Tasty School model in primary schools. Furthermore, the aim was to assess changes during the intervention in the class teachers' perspectives and experiences related to food education and school dining. Methods: The method involved a quasi-experimental study with intervention and control groups. A total of 130 class teachers from 15 intervention and 10 control schools from five municipalities in Finland participated in the study during one school year. The theoretical framework of acceptability was utilised to evaluate feasibility using frequencies. The comparison data were analysed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures to account for the intervention effects and selected standardising effects. Results: Teachers reported that the model was highly acceptable and easily integrated into the school environment. Support from principals and colleagues was the most important facilitator of food education, and lack of time was the barrier. Teachers in the intervention schools were more likely to consider school meals healthy after the intervention, and they reported having sufficient materials and supplies for food education. Conclusions: The Tasty School was shown to be a feasible model for food education in primary schools. The current study especially found that the commitment of the whole school and principals' role are crucial in the implementation of food education. The factors that support the implementation must be strengthened, and efforts must be made to reduce the barriers.

Teachers’ Resources to Support School Lunch: Professional Development Is Warranted

“…Similarly, In Finland, school meals and food education are an essential part of the school day. Guided by the Finnish National Nutrition Council’s School Meal Recommendations, students receive free school meals and teachers regularly eat with the students [ 37 ]. To assist teachers in integrating school lunch into the school day and create an overall healthy school environment, Finland implemented the “Tasty School” model that integrates food and nutrition education into curriculum, school meals and the school environment.…”

“…The teachers felt “Tasty School” put food and nutrition education into practice and benefitted the school’s teaching. Additionally, the teachers reported principals to be a critical facilitator in implementing the model and providing effective food and nutrition education [ 37 ].…”

Implementation of food education in school environments improves pupils’ eating patterns and social participation in school dining

“…According to the results, the model achieved this goal. The previous study showed that according to teachers' and principals' experience, the Tasty School model is feasible for food education in primary schools (24) . The current study adds to our understanding of the effects of Tasty School on pupils, i.e.…”

“…The present study had a quasi-experimental design (30) with fifteen intervention schools, which were supported to implement food education based on a tailored, teacherdelivered Tasty School model and ten control schools that did not receive food education support (24) . The study was conducted during the school year 2019-2020 and included baseline and follow-up questionnaires addressed to all grades 3-6 pupils in participating schools.…”

“…The "Tasty School" model (24) provides tools for implementing food education in primary schools and thus helps schools to meet the requirements of the School Meal Recommendations (22) and Finnish National Curriculum (16) . The Tasty School model was developed in cooperation with primary schools and nutrition, food education, and basic education experts by utilizing a previous nutrition curriculum, Tools for Feeling Good, as a starting point (17) .…”