Park lunches to be piloted at five residents’ parks in July

Between 1 and 31 July 2025 Espoo will provide a free hot meal to all customers of residents’ parks who are under 16 years of age. The aim is to increase the wellbeing of children, young people and families.

“Park lunches were last organised in Espoo in 2009. Because a long time has already passed since the previous experiences of park lunches, the lunches will be piloted at five residents’ parks in July,” explains Nina Konttinen, the District Manager responsible for residents’ parks.

“The aim is to accumulate experience in organising the lunches and gain information about it and the actual costs,” she says.

The decision on possibly continuing the park lunches and funding them in Espoo will be based on the information that will be collected.

The free park lunches will be organised in July at one park in each major district of Espoo. Food will be served on working days at the residents’ parks of Soukka, Perkkaa, Olari, Suvela and Tapiola.

The organisation of the park lunches is the responsibility of Finnish Early Childhood Education in Espoo, which operates the residents’ parks. The food will be prepared by Espoo Catering, which is owned by the city.

“When we chose the time for the pilot we were thinking especially about the young schoolchildren and other children who spend the middle of the summer in the city. The parks selected can be reached easily by public transport and their existing facilities make organising the meals possible. An important criterion was also the possibility to attract a larger number of customers than currently,” explains Raija Laine, Development Manager from Finnish Early Childhood Education in Espoo.

The city estimates that on average 150 children and young people per meal will enjoy a hot lunch in the park.

The park lunch will be free of charge for the customers and no advance registration is required. However, the participants must bring their own dishes and cutlery with them.

The menu will be a selection of dishes that children like and that are easy for them to enjoy in park conditions. The menu will be published on the city’s website in advance.

“We will systematically monitor the consumption of food during the pilot. The staff of the parks will guide and encourage the visitors to avoid creating food waste,” Konttinen says.

One dish will be served each day and lunch will be available for as long as there is food left. Vegetarian food will be served on 2-3 days a week. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to accommodate any special diets.

“We hope these park lunches will increase the wellbeing of children, young people and families. The park lunches are also an incentive for local families with children to come and familiarise themselves with the other activities taking place at residents’ parks,” Laine explains.

The city will publish information about the practical arrangements for park lunches in more detail later in the spring.

Raija Laine
Development Manager
Finnish Early Childhood Education
+358 9 81623022
raija.laine@espoo.fi

Nina Konttinen
District Manager
Espoo Finnish Early Childhood Education
+358 40 6394704
nina.konttinen@espoo.fi