Improve School Meal Nutrition in Serbia: Policy Recommendations

Improve nutritional quality of school meals in Serbia through evidence-based strategies targeting procurement, meal planning, staff training, and policy support. Recommendations cover compliance with national standards, school-made meals, standardized menus, pricing reviews, nutrition education, staff engagement, waste reduction, and use of the Meal Planner tool. Findings highlight parental influence on food preferences, low fruit intake among children, and the role of school meals in expanding food acceptance and promoting healthier habits. Non-compliance with nutritional norms—especially in energy, fibre, and saturated fat—underscores the need for systemic improvements.