Barley Porridge and Crispbread – The Story of Finnish School Meals

The exhibition is on display at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum 18.9.2026-4.4.2027.

The history of Finnish school meals goes back to the early 20^th century and is linked to the birth of the welfare state. In the early days, simple meals were provided free of charge in schools only for students of limited means. The crisis period of the 1940s sparked concern for children’s welfare and led to the introduction of free meals for all schoolchildren by law.

Finnish school food has come a long way from its simple and modest beginnings to a modern, state-of-the-art food service that takes into account both health and social factors.

The exhibition is produced by the Finnish Agricultural Museum Sarka and the Hotel and Restaurant Museum.