Necessary Steps
Prepare the questions for the survey. Start with general questions:
- Are you: pupil / school employee / parent?
- Question for pupils: What grade are you in?
Questions for pupils and school employees:
- What is your favourite school meal?
- What is your favourite side dish for school lunch?
- How often do you eat in the school canteen? 1-2 times a week / 3-4 times a week / daily. If you go seldom, why?
- Please rate the following criteria on a scale of very good / good / could be better / put more effort into it:
- Taste of food
- Appearance of food
- Variety of food
- Communication of kitchen personnel
- Speed of service
- Cleanliness of dining area, tables and chairs
- Cleanliness of tableware and cutlery
- Selection of buffet products
5. It is important for me that the food is (please tick):
- Nutritious
- Healthy
- Of national/regional/local-origin
- Made from organic ingredients
- Delicious
6. I would like to see on the menu more:
- Vegetables
- Desserts
- Fruits
- Soups
- Vegetarian food
- Fresh salads
7. Are you: vegan / vegetarian / none of these?
8. What would you like to change or introduce in the school canteen?
Questions for parents:
- Have you tasted the school lunch?
- How does your child rate school meals? Very good / good / satisfactory / poor
- How often does your child eat in the school canteen? 1-2 times a week / 3-4 times a week / daily
- How many salads or salad components are there in the school lunch selection?
- How does your child rate the variety of meals? Very good / good / could be better / put more effort into it.
- How does your child rate the selection of buffet products? Very good / good / could be better / put more effort into it.
- Comments and suggestions:
Based on the questionnaire's aim, the answer options and questions can be modified or added.
More Issues To Consider
- A satisfaction survey should be open at least for 10 days.
- The survey can be distributed online: in an electronic school management tool if it exists, the school website, school social media channels, and parents' lists. The class teacher can promote answering the survey in one of his/her lessons.
- The caterer should introduce the survey results first to school management. The school's management, in turn, can decide whether to present the results to the school's board of trustees and pupils.
- Presenting the survey results to the pupils is a good opportunity to explain the requirements for school meals. For example, if children write in the survey that they do not want fish meals, it can be explained that the school meals must comply with the national regulations, according to which fish must be offered at least once a week.
