Current Status and Issues Concerning School Lunch Systems in Rural China

"Second Student Nutrition and School Feeding Conference"

Abstract

The economic gap between urban and rural areas caused by reform and the opening policy implemented in 1978 is a well-known problem in China. This economic gap has a serious impact on the nutritional status of children, as well as the Chinese education system. The Chinese government introduced special school lunch systems as a part of policy measures dealing with the process of economic development in both urban and rural areas. The school lunch system in rural areas has been legislatively implemented for the last five years. The Chinese government recognized the current status and issues of the school lunch systems, initiated" The Second Student Nutrition and School Feeding Conference" and held an exchange meeting on the school lunch system. This meeting, held November 15-16, 2014, included lectures on the current status of school lunches, delivered by speakers from China and other countries. It also included exchanges of opinions and a question-and-answer session. This paper discusses issues of the school lunches in rural areas of China and explains the current situation from information gathered during the conference.