Archive · 14 Aug 2025
Junk Food Reigns Supreme in City School Canteens
Kids in many school canteens like junk food more than healthy choices.
Things like noodles and fried snacks sell fast, while fruits and oats often get thrown away.
Schools try to offer some healthy food but can't always get kids to choose it.
Older students often don't bring lunch from home and buy food at school instead.
The government is telling schools to teach kids about eating less sugar, but sugary drinks are still popular.
Healthy food options in school canteens often go uneaten, while junk food is popular.
Vendors struggle to sell nutritious items like fruits and oats, facing financial losses.
Schools attempt to balance healthy and unhealthy options, but face challenges.
Senior students rarely bring packed lunches, preferring canteen food.
Both CBSE and CISCE are urging schools to educate students on the dangers of sugar.
- Who
- School students, canteen vendors, and school administrators.
- What
- Healthy food is often wasted in school canteens, while junk food sells well.
- When
- Ongoing
- Where
- City schools
- Why
- Children prefer junk food and are reluctant to eat healthier options.
School Administration
Canteen Vendors
Canteen Food Options
School Administration
Implement and monitor healthy food options in school canteens.
Canteen Vendors
Vendors struggle with the economic viability of healthy choices.
- Unhealthy food bestsellers
- Momos, noodles, burgers, deep-fried fish cutlets, bread pakoras, puri sabji, and samosas.
- Healthy food waste
- Poha, idli, dosa, dhokla, boiled eggs, oats paratha, and fruits.
- Senior student behavior
- Rarely bring lunch from home, prefer canteen food.
- School Response
- Control portions, fruit breaks, air-fried options, and education about sugar intake.