School canteens - More than gossips and food.
Easy socializing, catching the latest gossips, not to forget the mindless banter – school canteens offer much more
than just a quick snack. They are students’ very own repositories of their school’s memories. What could be wrong
about the school’s canteens? Well, there indeed are a few things you need to look out –
than just a quick snack. They are students’ very own repositories of their school’s memories. What could be wrong
about the school’s canteens? Well, there indeed are a few things you need to look out –
1.Hygiene
Seems a cliché, isn’t it? But, we are not stereotyping your beloved canteen. There are a few canteens that have
reusable cutlery. An often unfortunate compromise is made with the hygiene in order for speedy service. You
don’t want the business hacks ruining your child’s health!
reusable cutlery. An often unfortunate compromise is made with the hygiene in order for speedy service. You
don’t want the business hacks ruining your child’s health!
2.Service time
A few minutes might seem quite trivial. But when this delay is more than a couple of times every day, it does
make sense. At peak times, students have to wait in queues to have their orders. Another few minutes to actually
receive food. It is important for the students to learn spending their day productively.
make sense. At peak times, students have to wait in queues to have their orders. Another few minutes to actually
receive food. It is important for the students to learn spending their day productively.
3.Nutrition
Canteens are now substituting our home-made lunch boxes. And, we can surely embrace this change. However,
this has nothing to do with the daily nutrition requirement. Increased amounts of junk food lead to imbalance in
body’s nutritional value - leading to mental and physical problems like obesity. Few important steps have been
taken by the government canteens to maintain the quality of their food. According to Times of India report, school
canteens will no longer sell junk food. This will take time to spread throughout the country. Until then, make sure
the school canteen follow these kind of norms.
this has nothing to do with the daily nutrition requirement. Increased amounts of junk food lead to imbalance in
body’s nutritional value - leading to mental and physical problems like obesity. Few important steps have been
taken by the government canteens to maintain the quality of their food. According to Times of India report, school
canteens will no longer sell junk food. This will take time to spread throughout the country. Until then, make sure
the school canteen follow these kind of norms.
4.Quality:
A quick cheap goodie seems quite harmless. However, canteens are observed to neglect quality of the food to
achieve those pocket friendly numbers on the menu. Parents must make sure that there is a constant quality check
conducted by school from time to time. FSSAI has proposed quality criteria for the food served in school. Parents
have the right to interfere if canteen does not abide with these regulations.
achieve those pocket friendly numbers on the menu. Parents must make sure that there is a constant quality check
conducted by school from time to time. FSSAI has proposed quality criteria for the food served in school. Parents
have the right to interfere if canteen does not abide with these regulations.
5.Ambience:
The overall environment plays a major role in improving your mood. While canteen’s bonhomie surroundings can
cheer you up, the opposite may lead to some not-so-good memories for your child. The eatery should be well
spaced and designed in such a way that there is no suffocation. Proper lighting, preferably natural sunlight, can
be a plus point. After hours of studying in closed-walls classrooms, the canteen should be a little refreshing.
cheer you up, the opposite may lead to some not-so-good memories for your child. The eatery should be well
spaced and designed in such a way that there is no suffocation. Proper lighting, preferably natural sunlight, can
be a plus point. After hours of studying in closed-walls classrooms, the canteen should be a little refreshing.
6.Infrastructure:
Lack of proper facilities for drinking water, basins to wash hands are more important than you think. These
seemingly minor problems may actually be affecting your child’s cleanliness habits. Habits are strengthened at
this age and canteens influence these, in their own way.
seemingly minor problems may actually be affecting your child’s cleanliness habits. Habits are strengthened at
this age and canteens influence these, in their own way.
7.Price:
Frankly, one of the only reasons canteens have been around is because of their budget-friendly menu! You may
not want your kids to eat canteen food while they can have much better and more economical elsewhere – how
about your homemade aloo parathas!
not want your kids to eat canteen food while they can have much better and more economical elsewhere – how
about your homemade aloo parathas!
8.Vegan friendly:
While the canteen may be a haven for everyone else, vegans out there need to inquire about the measures
canteen takes to separate the non-veg kitchens’ cutlery from yours. This might seem a dead investment for the
canteen but sure is important to you.
canteen takes to separate the non-veg kitchens’ cutlery from yours. This might seem a dead investment for the
canteen but sure is important to you.
9.Flexibility:
Who wants to eat the same old patty or dosas every now and then? The canteen must be able to cater to the
changing needs of students as well as maintain a check on the all the different goodies available for the students
outside. Their job is to compete with the unhealthy way-side hawkers while providing quality food.
changing needs of students as well as maintain a check on the all the different goodies available for the students
outside. Their job is to compete with the unhealthy way-side hawkers while providing quality food.
Well, last but not the least! What school canteen can even be considered one if it doesn’t stimulate your taste
buds and leave you wanting for more! The mundane lectures and foolish practical sessions are enough to drain
out all the excitement. This little luxury, you deserve!
Does your child's canteen check all the boxes?What other added measures would you like to see in School
Canteens?