School canteen in middle and high school

Verified 25 February 2026 - Public Service / Directorate of Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Your child takes his meal in the canteen of his school and you wonder about the organization of this service? The department is responsible for school catering at the college. The area is responsible for the high school area. Conditions of attendance, price, course and composition of a meal: here are the rules to know about the school canteen at the college and high school.

No, school catering in middle and high schools is optional.

When the school catering service exists, you can enroll your child in it.

The community in charge of the service must specify the conditions for access to school meals. However, your social situation should not prevent your child from registering. For example, it is illegal to restrict access to the school canteen to children whose parents work.

The rates of the school canteen are determined by department for colleges, and region for high schools.

The department or region may choose to apply the family quotient. This makes it possibleadapt the rate to your income and expenses.

You can sometimes benefit fromhelp to pay for your child's canteen fees.

The meal must last at least 30 minutes, not to mention the possible waiting of the service.

Menus must comply with a nutritional balance. The portion size is suitable for the type of dish and age class.

The meal served in the school canteen includes the following elements:

  • 1 main course
  • 1 filling
  • 1 dairy product
  • 1 starter and/or 1 dessert.

Please note

Meals must be made up of 50% sustainable quality products (20% organic).

Water and bread are available in open access.

Salt and sauces are served according to the dishes. They are not freely accessible.

The school's menus are generally available on its website.

The department (at the college) and the region (at the high school) are responsible for the composition of the menus.

Depending on the establishment, meals are prepared on site or in the central kitchen.

Please note

there is no snack in middle school and high school.

If your child has a specific diet due to its state of healthHowever, the school can offer adapted menus. For this, a individualized reception project (IAP) can be set up.

You can also prepare packed lunch to your child. You are then responsible for the provision of the meal, packaging and transportation. Your child will consume his/her packed lunch in the canteen.

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