The aim of this study was to verify the prevalence of students who took the meal at home before going to school, and offered by the school. Study participants were students from 1st to 4th grade of Public Education System of Canoinhas-SC. The majority (53.6%) of students investigated were male, from urban schools (63.8%), and 91.0% reported performing the meal at home before going to school. The majority (95.7%) of the students reported consuming the meal offered by the school daily during the school break, but 77.3% had consumed it effectively. The main reason for not eating the meal provided by the school was the fact bringing lunch from home. The results were considered positive when compared to other studies in the country. However, further research should be carried out including also other grades of elementary school.
school feeding; elementary school; school meal