The Feeding of School Children

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

57313

Title

The Feeding of School Children

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Mildred Emily Bulkley's 1914 study examines the provision of mid-day meals for school children across England, Scotland, and Europe. Through detailed case studies of feeding centers and international comparisons, the text argues that proper nutrition is essential for physical health, moral development, and social equality, urging a shift from charitable relief to systematic public provision.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1914, *The Feeding of School Children* by Mildred Emily Bulkley offers a comprehensive analysis of malnutrition among the working class, arguing that defective nutrition is a primary physical defect in childhood that predisposes individuals to tuberculosis and other diseases in adulthood. While official statistics from the time suggested that 10% of children suffered from malnutrition, Bulkley's careful observation indicated the figure likely approached 20%. She attributes this decline not merely to a lack of food, but also to improper diets and hurried eating habits common in poor households. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to an international survey of school feeding methods. Bulkley contrasts poorly organized centers, characterized by noise, waste, and inadequate supervision, with well-run facilities that foster order, thrift, and moral education. She highlights successful models in Italy, where the 'School Restaurant' system evolved from charitable subsidies to municipal responsibility, and in Holland and Scandinavia, where progressive legislation made free meals standard. In France, canteens organized by the 'Caisse des écoles' served as another example of organized care. The text critically addresses social fears that free meals might encourage idleness or acceptance of low wages. Bulkley refutes these concerns with evidence from Bradford, noting that fraud was rare and that parents often voluntarily withdrew their children when their financial circumstances improved. She emphasizes that the cost of feeding children is a small fraction of total education costs. Ultimately, the book concludes that the state has a moral duty to ensure every child receives adequate food to develop fully as a member of society. Bulkley argues that the mid-day meal offers unique opportunities for moral instruction and the cultivation of brotherhood among children of all classes, transforming the school environment into a place of both physical nourishment and social unity.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Education
• Food