Healthy school lunches in Germany do not cost much extra

The average cost of a healthy school lunch that fulfills the quality standards of the German association for nutrition (DGE) is only four euro cents higher than for school meals currently offered, according to a study by DGE that was presented by federal minister of food and agriculture Julia Kloeckner on Tuesday.

One of the biggest goals of healthy school nutrition is to avoid obesity and overweight in children.

"15 percent of our children and young people are overweight, twice as many as 50 years ago. Schools and daycare centers play a central role here," said Kloeckner.

The price increase of DGE recommended school lunches from 5.36 euros to 5.40 euros is "due to slightly higher labor costs, while the cost of goods purchased is comparable." German municipalities are subsidizing expenses from school catering with up to 1.2 billion euros per year. On average, German parents are paying 3.50 euros per school meal.

More than three million German pupils in full-time schools are entitled to school lunches.

The cost of catering is also influenced by the total number of schools and students for which school lunches need to be provided. "If it was possible to increase the daily number of lunches, capacities could be better utilized. The more pupils opt for school lunch, the lower the cost," a DGE statement read.

According to the DGE quality standards in Germany, school lunches should offer grain products or potatoes as well as vegetables on a daily basis. Sea fish is recommended at least once a week while meat dishes should be served no more than twice a week.