Thousands of park meals distributed to kids this June

– This is almost the same amount distributed during the whole of last summer’s park meal events. There’s been a tremendous increase in the number of visitors, which makes us very happy, says Project Planner Heidi Rantanen, coordinator for the park meal events.

This year, the park meal events also expanded to Lielahti. According to Rantanen, this is not the only reason for the clear increase in visitor numbers.

The park meals sites have also changed in a few districts, and Rantanen thinks this also has contributed to the increase in popularity. Last year, the Hervanta Park Meal was held on the shores of Lake Suolijärvi and now it is in the centre of Hervanta. The Tesoma site has also moved from the beach to a more central location in the district.

– I feel like the park meal concept is now more familiar to people than it was last summer. Kids and young people remember what it was all about from before. And our communication has reached people better than last summer, she explains.

Park meals are for everyone

Everyone is welcome to take part in the park meals events, where they can spend time with family and friends, enjoy a guided programme, or even play on their own while enjoying a hot meal. Next week’s menu, including the ingredients used and activity programmes, can be found on the park meals social media channels.

– We’ve received great feedback on the park meals from kids, young people, and parents alike. The programme is very popular, and parents can also join in with their children, Rantanen explains.

The park meals are served from 11 am to 1 pm, Monday to Thursday. During the first hour, the programme includes playing, games, and other activities. Mealtime starts at 12 pm, when everyone aged under 16 receives a free meal. People attending the park meals must bring their own dishware and utensils.

– The kinds of food on offer are already familiar to the kids and young people from school and kindergarten, as Pirkanmaan Voimia prepares the food for us. They find that food tastes even better when eaten outdoors, says Rantanen.

There's still time to join in!

The park meal events has now reached its halfway point but will continue until 27 July. Although early July has been a bit wetter, the food stall is there from Monday to Thursday, whatever the weather.

– We had amazing weather in June. And while the weather has been rainy recently, and the programme might not have been that well attended, the meals certainly have been. You can also take food home in your own lunchbox, so you don’t have to eat in the rain, says Rantanen.

The third summer of park meals already looks very promising so far, with plenty of kids and young people having joined in.

– Now that the summer holidays are starting, we’ll see how that translates into visitor numbers for the rest of the summer. Hopefully people will be there in July too, Rantanen enthuses.

Park meals are organised in five areas:
•    Ahvenispuisto park in Hervanta (Valtaraitti 24)
•    Riihiniemi beach in Kaukajärvi (Järvikatu 14)
•    Lielahti Manor Park (Tehdaskartanonkatu 38)
•    Peltolammi beach (Rukkamäentie 20)
•    Veikonpuisto park in Tesoma (Tesomajärvenkatu)