Examining the Current Situations and Problems of School Lunches in Nagano Prefecture from the Food Culture and Food Education’s Viewpoints: Analyzing the Results of 2016 Questionnaire Survey

Abstract

This study elucidated the current status and issues related to school lunches in Nagano Prefecture from the viewpoint of food culture and food education’s perspectives; additionally, this study hopes to procure examples of practices that deepen the understanding of traditional food culture among pupils. A questionnaire survey administered to 234 nutrition teachers and staff attending a November 2016 workshop. Further, valid responses were received via postal mail from 212 (90.6%) participants.

On average, there were 10.7±16.2 days to serve local cuisine for lunch, and 11.3±6.4 days to serve event foods. Food education was practiced to deepen understanding of local food culture and agriculture by providing local dishes and event foods using local agricultural products in school lunches, and conveying farming experiences, food education was practiced to deepen the understanding of local food culture and agriculture. Furthermore, to enhance dietary education and school lunches, the study results highlighted the necessity to increase the number of nutrition teachers, particularly the number of nutrition teachers, particularly in large-scale supply centers for school meals.