Two surveys issued in the run-up to the new school year, which starts on Monday, highlighted persistent socio-economic gaps between schoolchildren that will impact their health and ability to learn.

According to a survey released Sunday by Leket Israel — the National Food Bank, more than a third of parents (35 percent) said they had to forgo certain foods for their child’s mid-morning school snack due to cost, with about a third reporting that they had actively searched for cheaper alternatives.

While 20% of parents overall reported skipping healthier food options due to high prices, this figure increased to 30% among households with incomes below the average.

Most parents reported trying to maintain basic nutritional standards, with roughly two-thirds saying they sent their child to school with what they defined as a healthy, balanced meal.

However, 66% said their primary concern was that the child did not come home hungry, even if this meant compromising on health.

Only 55% of children from low-income households brought vegetables for their mid-morning break snack, compared to 67% of children from higher-income homes.

A third (34%) of parents said the content of their child’s lunchbox was influenced by what their classmates brought.

Smadar Hod Ovadia, VP of Nutrition and Quality at Leket Israel, said, “The child’s lunchbox has become a mirror of Israel’s economic reality. Parents want to give their children the best, but are often forced to compromise due to financial........

© The Times of Israel