TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taipei welcomed nearly 100 participants on Tuesday for a school lunch advisory group exchange, exploring how school meals can be more than just a way to fill students’ bellies.
The Ministry of Education said the event focused on integrating food and agricultural education into everyday lunches, giving students the chance to learn about nutrition, local ingredients, and the industries of their hometowns, according to CNA.
Schools across Taiwan shared creative initiatives. Taipei has introduced calcium-rich lunches and playful mushroom dishes, Changhua encourages students to “eat a plate of hometown,” and Keelung offers its “what’s for lunch” program. These initiatives not only promote nutritious eating but also help students build a connection with their communities, the ministry said.
The ministry added that aside from being a daily necessity, school lunches offer a chance to cultivate healthy eating habits and a sustainable lifestyle. Ongoing collaboration between central and local advisory teams aims to further enhance the educational role of these meals.
Taiwan’s rich agricultural heritage brings a colorful variety of local flavors to school menus. New Taipei’s Jinshan District is known for taro, sweet potatoes, and water bamboo; Miaoli’s Houlong for watermelon, sweet potatoes, and peanuts; Kaohsiung’s Dasha for guava, jujube, and milk; and Hualien’s Jian for chives, taro, and chayote shoots, according to Taiwan agricultural tourism.
