Flinders University, in partnership with the Commissioner for Children and Young People, is inviting all staff to join a live online jury-style consultation on the topic of school-provided meals.

Arguments for and against the idea of schools providing meals to students will be presented by ‘expert witnesses’ to a ‘jury’ that represents key stakeholders from across South Australia.

The event, being held on Thursday 20 October, during Anti-Poverty Week, aims to encourage an increased understanding of poverty and what types of collective action can help to end poverty. Now in its 20th year, is Anti-Poverty Week is placing its focus this year on halving current child poverty numbers by 2030.

Globally, school-provided meals are common, to support families experiencing food insecurity, and have been shown to improve student attendance, academic performance and nutrition. However, the cost of setting up infrastructure necessary to support school-supplied meals has many people in South Australia wary about the overall benefits of adopting such a scheme in this state.

The free event will participants an opportunity to hear both sides of the debate, and then to cast their vote on whether or not they believe school-provided meals should be introduced in South Australia.

Event information

Date: Thursday 20 October 2022

Time: 12.30-3.30pm (ACDT)

Book your place: https://events.humanitix.com/healthy-school-meals-citizens-jury