The city of Joensuu will start school food distribution on Wednesday 15.4. to students in online learning. Food bags are only distributed to those who have registered in advance. Later registrants will be able to join the food distribution in the coming weeks, by first registering with Hanna Seppänen.  More than 4,100 school food bags were ordered by the deadline.

In the largest schools, the pick-up time for the food bags has been extended to avoid crowds. Food bags can be picked up from Noljakka, Pataluoto, Karsikko, Nepenmäki and Niittylahti schools between 1 pm and 5 pm. Pick-up time at Tuupovaara, Heinävaara, Eno, Uimaharju and Pyhäselkä schools is from 2 pm to 4 pm. The person picking up the food bag must pick up the food from the school that they have registered to pick the food bag from.

The city recommends that, if possible, food bags be picked up at the largest schools at staggered times based on the initials of the student's last name:

• from 1 pm to 2 pm those whose surname begins with the letters A–H
• from 2 pm to 3 pm those whose surname begins with the letters I–M
• from 3 pm to 4 pm, those whose surname begins with the letters N–R
• from 4 pm to 5 pm, those whose surname begins with the letters S–Ö

School food pick-up points are located outdoors. There are separate pick-up points for walkers and cyclists and separate drive-in pick-up points for cars where you can drive by and get the bag directly to the car. Do not get out of the car. Allergy foods are picked up on foot from their own points. At all pick-up points, you must state the student's name and the school where the student is enrolled. School-specific arrival and pick-up instructions can be found at: https://www.joensuu.fi/korona/kouluruokajakelu

In general, those coming to pick up the food bags are recommended to come to the school on foot or by bike, as heavy car traffic easily crowds school environments and in addition, parking space near schools may be limited.

Food can be picked up by a student or, for example, a guardian, grandparent or neighbor. It is hoped that one person will pick up the food of several students at the same time. Those picking up the food are encouraged to be patient, and to set aside plenty of time for picking up the food bags.

Everyone must ensure appropriate safety distances to each other (at least 2 m). You must leave the area immediately after receiving the food bag. In the largest schools, this is very important because there are a lot of people picking up food bags on site. The person picking up the food must take care of hand hygiene before and after picking up the food bag. There is no hand contact between the person giving out food bags and the person picking up the food bags.

At home, food should be stored at refrigerator temperature according to the packaging instructions. Before eating, check the product information on the package for food restrictions.

The food bag can only be picked up when completely healthy. If no one in your family, neighbor or relative is able to pick up the food bag, contact Hanna Seppänen on weekdays from 8 am to 2 pm, hanna.seppanen@joensuu.fi, phone: 050 312 4490.

Learn more about school food delivery:
 https://www.joensuu.fi/korona/kouluruokajakelu