What is the difference between food provision and food participation?
Food provision focuses on ensuring a child has access to food and nutrition. Food participation goes further by supporting a child’s ability to engage in eating experiences, develop feeding skills, join social activities involving food, and build a positive relationship with eating. Food participation recognises that inclusion, learning, and wellbeing are just as important as nutritional intake.
Why is food participation important?
Food is a central part of daily life, education, family routines, and social experiences. When children are unable to participate in mealtimes, school activities, or community events involving food, they can become isolated and miss valuable opportunities for learning, connection, and development.
Who can benefit from a food participation approach?
A food participation approach can support:
- Children with Paediatric Feeding Disorders (PFD)
- Neurodivergent children
- Children with sensory processing differences
- Children with developmental delays
- Children with medical conditions affecting feeding
- Families seeking a more positive and inclusive approach to mealtimes
Does food participation mean a child has to eat new foods?
No. Food participation is not about forcing children to eat specific foods. It focuses on building confidence, curiosity, comfort, and engagement around food while respecting each child’s developmental stage, sensory needs, and autonomy.