Helsinki has been running a summertime park lunch programme since 1942 in an effort to make sure children receive at least one hot meal a day — but is it time the tradition got an update?
That's what some children and adults are asking as the city gears up for a new season of soup-ladling across its parks.
"It started because there were so many poor families in Finland," Deputy City Councillor Sandra Hagman (Left) told Yle News.
This means that when Helsinki schools close for the summer, children can still get at least that one daily meal during the week. That is, so long as they bring a bowl, spoon and cup.
However, a recent reader submission in Helsingin Sanomat from 10-year-old Alma Valtonen opined that not all the children get to enjoy the benefit of a free lunch. This is because everyone receives the same meal, which means that even on days with meat, there is no vegetarian or vegan option. Additionally, the city of Helsinki sometimes has pork on the menu, excluding those who don't eat it for religious reasons.
Hagman also expressed disappointment at the menu offered by the city.
"So look at the statistics, we know that already in 2016 in Helsinki, almost 20 percent of Helsinki youth had quit eating meat. At the same time, we know that over 10 percent of children in school participate in Islamic religion classes. So we know that a big part of our kids who are living in Helsinki cannot join this service," Hagman said.
Hagman spoke to the All Points North podcast about her views on park lunches. This segment starts around 13 minutes into the show.
Hagman said this practice creates an exclusionary atmosphere for what is otherwise a great community for parents and children alike.
"What is the message that we are giving to those families? We are saying that okay, we don't care about your situation, or you are not actually part of this happy event or this service," Hagman said.
Small budgets dictate menus
While the City of Helsinki did not comment on the lack of alternatives for children with special dietary concerns, Yle News spoke with Sari Utriainen, a project coordinator within the city of Vantaa's Early Childhood Education service area.
She told Yle News that she agreed with the 10-year-old Valtonen on serving more vegetarian food, in principle.
"I think she's right. And I don't eat much red meat either, but I think vegan food is not possible because there are so many people who don't want to eat only that," Utriainen clarified, adding that Vantaa does not include pork in any meals for religious reasons.
Utriainen also noted that it was a matter of the city budget and that they are still making changes to the programme for the future.
"[Adding] vegan food is more expensive to us. And if politicians give more money and take care of these things, and if they think these are important, then they might give more money to us so that we can arrange different kinds of park food," Utriainen pointed out.
With free park lunches being only five years old in Vantaa, the programme is still quite fresh and more people learn about it each year.
"This is quite a new thing in Vantaa," Utriainen concluded.
Veggie options welcome, but locals still grateful
The families Yle News met for park lunch in Vantaa wouldn't mind more expanded menus, but are also just grateful for the programme.
"I would say veggie food is something that everyone can eat. And in that way it doesn't exclude anyone. And I am vegetarian myself and that's why I would support it. But at the same time this has felt like a huge benefit and nice thing. I don't want to complain about it," Vantaa resident and mother Elina told Yle News at Nissas Residents' Park.
Päivi Ranta, lunch caterer and activity coordinator at the park, echoed this sentiment.
"People ask about whether there are vegetarian options available, however, when we say that there are not, the usual response is that 'well, it's still nice that there's at least something.' Even if it is not exactly what they would hope for," she said.
"It helps not having to cook but there's way more than just that which makes this such a wonderful thing," Elina said.
She had high praise for Vantaa's free playground lunch initiative, which began in 2019.
Vantaa is one of the cities offering children free warm lunches in various parks and playgrounds during the summer.
"We often get parents who used to eat at the Helsinki park lunches when they were kids, and now they come here with their own kids and say how wonderful it is that the free lunches now also exist in Vantaa," Ranta said.
Relief for parents
For many people, summer is a time for relaxed fun in the sun. For parents, however, especially those with young children, it can be a stressful time of the year as they juggle school holiday care with their other responsibilities.
This can even lead to parental burnout. In 2020 a study found Finnish parents to be the seventh most burnt-out among those surveyed in 42 countries.
Coming up with an extra warm meal for the kids for the day can add to the stress, as school lunches are unavailable.
At Nissas park, Yle News sat down with mothers Elina and Rosa and their toddlers, Reino and Miro.
The meals are primarily for school-aged children, as children under seven don't receive school meals outside of summer anyway.
"This is our second time here, he's eaten the food well, we have no complaints," Elina said while feeding her one-year-old.
"This is the best thing in the world! We came here last year and we've also been coming this year a lot," Rosa agreed, adding that the initiative makes everyday life considerably easier.
More than just free food
Both Vantaa mothers said that the park lunch initiative is much more than just about the free food. It's also about community.
"Yes, kids get to eat here but also at the same time they get to play and see other kids and adults," Rosa said, adding that "the parents here know each other and it is nice to meet without having to plan for it in advance."
Kids that visit the lunch parks also get to be involved in various activities. On Tuesday, the park had organised a music playschool prior to lunch. Other days may involve activities such as a visit from the mobile library or from dental workers who come to talk about oral hygiene.
But perhaps most importantly, park lunches provide the opportunity for parents to take a breather, according to Ranta.
"For many parents that are at home with small kids this is the kind of place to just breathe. We, the staff, always try to find time to chat with the parents and talk about how things are at home. Many of the parents come here for peer support and meeting with other people and families that are in the same situation. I think it's an important factor. And then the food distribution is more like a nice addition, especially now that we've seen that food has become more expensive and the cost of living has gone up," Ranta said.
That's all well and good, but Hagman says that if the menu doesn't offer something for everyone the community can be more exclusive than it needs to be.
"It's not only the food, but it's also all other activities that are taking place in those different playgrounds. And the feeling when you go there with your child, other kids are singing their food song, they are playing some games and they get their food. But your child can't participate in that," Hagman emphasised.
Where to find park lunches
The following playgrounds in Finnish municipalities host free lunches for children this summer.
Vantaa
The city of Vantaa offers free meals from 5 June until 7 July in four parks around the city for children under 18 years. Besides the hot meals served at parks, there are also picnic lunches available for pick up from Tikkurila Library Park and Point Library in Pakkala.
- Korso Residents' Park
- Nissas Residents' Park
- Tähdenlennon avoin kohtaamispaikka
- Ojahaka Day Care
Helsinki
Playgrounds serving lunch the whole summer until 4 August
- Etupelto
- Hilleri
- Ida
- Intia
- Kannelmäki
- Kurrannummi
- Lahnalahti
- Lampi
- Linnunrata
- Lohikäärmepuisto
- Mustakivi
- Myllynsiipi
- Mäkitorppa
- Nuoli
- Piika
- Rudolf
- Ruoholahti
- Sanna
- Traktori
- Tuorinniemi
- Viikkari
- Viiri
Playgrounds open from 5 June to 30 June
- Arabia
- Brahe
- Iso-Antti
- Isonneva
- Kotinummi
- Nurkka
- Salpausselkä
- Strömberg
- Taivallahti,
- Torpparinmäki
- Trumpetti
- Ulvila
Playgrounds open from 2 July until 9 August
- Kankarepuisto
- Linja
Tampere
Meals in Tampere are open to children under 16 years of age from 11am until 1pm in a few parks around the city. Meals are served Monday through Thursday from 5 June until 27 July.
- Ahvenispuisto
- Riihiniemen ranta
- Lielahden kartanopuisto
- Peltolammin ranta
- Veikonpuisto
Järvenpää
In Järvenpää, lunch is served from Monday to Friday until Midsummer at two locations.
- Kinnari School (Koulu)
- Perhetalo Joutsikki
Tuusula
In Tuusula, lunches are available for those under the age of 18 from 12-12:30 from 5 June until 28 July. In addition, the city offers events like a circus workshop for children to test out the equipment.
- Kotkanpuisto (Service ends 30 June.)
- Notkopuisto
- Björkenheimin puisto
- Mikkola School
Kerava
In Kerava, summer park lunches take place between 5 June and 28 July which includes a free soup or box lunch from 12-12:30pm to all under the age of 16 in Kerava.
- Sompio School
- Savio School
- Kurkela School
- Keravanjoki Day Care Would you like a roundup of the week's top stories in your inbox every Thursday? Then sign up to receive our weekly email.