Sistema, a company that designs versatile and
functional food storage and lunch boxes, has designated
September 19, 2024 as Love Your Lunch
Day – a day to end lunchtime bullying.
TORONTO, Aug. 28,
2024 /CNW/ - A new survey commissioned by Sistema has
found that over one in four (26%) Canadian parents say that their
child has experienced lunchbox shaming in elementary school. Some
groups reported higher rates of lunchbox bullying, with 40% of new
Canadians (those who have lived here for 5 years or less) reporting
their children have experienced it at school.
Lunchbox shaming occurs when children are ridiculed or bullied
because of the foods they bring to school. These lunches sometimes
reflect a family's culture, traditions and socio-economic status.
Parents reported that the top reasons their children received
negative reactions towards their lunch were unfamiliar appearance
and smell.
According to the survey, lunchbox bullying disproportionately
affects some Canadians more than others. Canadian parents from
Black (42%), Southeast Asian (42%), Latin American (36%) and South
Asian (33%) communities were twice as likely to say that their
child had experienced lunchbox shaming than White parents (17%).
Canadian parents from First Nations, Filipino, East Asian,
Arab/West Asian, and Chinese communities were 1.5 times as likely
to say that their child has experienced lunchbox shaming than White
parents (17%).
Making Children Proud to Love Their Lunches
To tackle the issue of lunchbox bullying, Sistema has launched
Love Your Lunch Day. The goal is to start a
conversation about food diversity and create a more inclusive
school environment where all types of lunches are accepted and
valued. Canadians are urged to participate in Love Your
Lunch Day by talking to their kids and students about the
importance of lunch inclusivity and acceptance.
"Lunchbox shaming can undermine a child's cultural identity, as
well as impact their self-esteem and social experience at school,"
said Jenny Leach, General Manager,
Newell Brands Canada. "Love Your
Lunch is a movement to not only create awareness around the
issue of lunchbox shaming but also to give parents, teachers and
lunchroom supervisors the tools to talk about the importance of
lunch inclusivity and celebrate diverse lunches."
Nearly half (46%) of students who have been lunchbox-shamed
reacted by asking their parents to change their lunches, while just
18% of students ignored the bullying. In addition, over a
quarter (27%) of parents said they've responded by trying to make
more "traditional North American" lunches for their child to take
to school. Sistema wants all kids to have the confidence to eat the
foods they love at home while at school without fear of shame and
bullying.
Other interesting findings from the survey include:
- Parents reported their children experienced lunchbox shaming
because of the appearance (44%), the smell (44%) and the lack of
familiarity with the food (44%)
- Parents said their children were most often lunchbox shamed
when they brought rice dishes (29%), curries (27%), stewed meats or
vegetables (19%) or fish dishes (17%) to school
- 96% of parents agreed that all children have a right to enjoy
their school lunch free from bullying and shaming
- 89% of parents agreed that kids should be educated to be
accepting about foods and traditions from all cultures
- 80% of parents agreed schools and teachers should be more
active in preventing lunchbox shaming
- 77% of parents agreed that lunchbox shaming can have a
long-term negative impact on children and their cultural
identity
Offering Tools for Tough Conversations
Sistema has partnered with Rainbow Plate, a social enterprise
that creates food literacy resources and workshops for teachers and
parents, to help extend the Love Your Lunch movement into
schools and homes. Rainbow Plate has co-created downloadable
resources for teachers and parents to help facilitate
age-appropriate conversations about lunchbox bullying with
elementary students, to create a more inclusive lunchtime
experience in schools.
"When a child brings lunch to school, they're bringing a little
piece of home with them – and that's special," said Janet Nezon, Founder of Rainbow Plate. "When
lunchbox shaming happens, it hurts children. In fact, Sistema's
survey found that 53% of students who experienced lunchbox shaming
felt upset afterward. Parents and schools must work together to
foster a more inclusive and supportive space at lunchtime where all
students feel equal and valued – and it starts with conversations
and sharing experiences."
Join the Conversation on Love Your Lunch Day
Sistema designs and manufactures innovative and versatile food
storage and lunch boxes and has been helping children carry their
homemade lunches to school for over 30 years.
Downloadable resources are available on the Love Your
Lunch microsite for both parents and teachers to access for
free throughout the year. There are also tools to support teachers
in addressing lunchbox shaming as it's happening in school. On
Love Your Lunch Day, teachers are encouraged to educate
students about respecting their peers' lunches, no matter what
foods they pack.
Survey Methodology
These findings are from a survey conducted by Sistema from
July 24th to August 1st, 2024 among a
representative sample of 1,012 online Canadian parents of children
and adults who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was
conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a
probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of
+/-3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Sistema
Sistema® designs innovative, high-quality, durable, functional
and versatile food storage containers and lunch boxes, microwave
products and home organization solutions. So, whether you need a
colourful and practical lunch box for back to school, or you're
looking for a clever meal prep container, Sistema® has a solution
that will inspire you. Every container is made using high-quality,
food safe and BPA free materials that you can trust.
About Newell Brands
Newell Brands (NASDAQ: NWL) is a
leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of
well-known brands, including Rubbermaid, Sharpie®, Graco®,
Coleman®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Yankee Candle®, Paper
Mate®, FoodSaver®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Elmer's®, Oster®, NUK®, Spontex®
and Campingaz®. Newell Brands is
focused on delighting consumers by lighting up everyday
moments.
SOURCE Sistema