With just 12 days until voters head to the polls, Miles and his team launched Labor’s campaign to 200 party faithful at a North Lakes community centre in the heart of his electorate on Sunday.

The premier unveiled a $1.4 billion commitment over four years to make school lunch free for all state primary students from prep to year six starting in 2025, if returned to office.

Doing so would save families an expected $1600 per student per year.

The announcement was made on the eve of this week being National Nutrition Week (October 14-20), with Nutrition Australia calling on individuals, families, communities, and organisations nationwide to reflect on how food connects and nourishes us.

“We all want kids to have the best start in life and they learn best with full tummies,” Miles said on Sunday.

“It’s universal, to avoid stigmatising the kids that need the food the most, but also to ensure it supports every Queensland family.”

Parents would be able to opt in for as many days a week as they want or need their children to have access to the offer.

The menu would be decided in consultation with nutritionists and dieticians with vegan, gluten-free and other allergy-friendly options.

Miles said depending on the success of the program, it may be expanded into state high schools.

But the announcement was not welcomed with fanfare by Labor’s opponents, who claim the government has simply adopted a popular minor party policy.

Greens MP Amy MacMahon said their electorates have had free school lunches in place for years but it has taken until a fortnight before the election for the government to promise it statewide.

But she welcomed that Labor was now committed to the initiative.

The Greens introduced a private members bill in 2021 to make school lunches free but it was shut down by Annastacia Palaszczuk’s Labor government. 

Miles defended the announcement, claiming he didn’t take a page out of the Greens’ book and the difference between 2021 and now is that he is premier.

Nationwide, meanwhile, school canteens are under unprecedented pressure, according to The Federation of Canteens in Schools (FOCIS).

The rising cost of operations, shortages of volunteers, and the increasing demands of busy families mean that many canteens struggle to survive, Leanne Elliston, chairperson of FOCIS and senior dietitian at Nutrition Australia, ACT, says.

“School canteens and tuckshops are a critical support system that offers nutritious food options to children, many of whom may not have reliable access to healthy meals at home,” she said in a statement.

“As food insecurity rises across Australia, the role of school canteens in connecting children to affordable and nourishing food that supports their overall wellbeing and academic performance has never been more crucial.”

In response, FOCIS is calling for a National Roundtable to save school canteens nationwide.

The collaborative platform will unite key decision-makers from the education, health, and government sectors to explore innovative strategies for keeping school canteens open and sustainable.

Visit FOCIS Roundtable Registration to learn more and register your interest.

(with AAP)