PERTH MUM LAUNCHES HEALTHY SCHOOL LUNCH REVOLUTION

Australian parents worried about junk food in school canteens now have a healthy school lunch new solution, thanks to Perth entrepreneur and mum Mai Hughes.

Inspired by her childhood in France, where free, nutritious school lunches are the norm, Mai is on a mission to transform the way Aussie kids eat—one lunchbox at a time.

Through her successful meal-kit delivery business, My Foodie Box, Hughes is launching a national school lunch delivery program, giving parents an easy, healthy alternative to processed canteen fare.

Her initiative helps reduce the stress of daily lunch prep and ensures kids have access to fresh, balanced meals designed for their growth and well-being.

“I know first-hand how challenging it is for busy parents to provide nutritious school lunches daily,” Mai says. “We’re offering a practical, delicious solution that removes the guilt and guesswork from packing a healthy lunch.”

Alongside the program, Mai has also launched an equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal, inviting like-minded investors to be part of the movement to change school nutrition for good.

“Healthy food shaped my childhood, and I want the same for Aussie kids," Mai said.

“Growing up in France, our free school lunches were more than meals; they were lessons in nutrition and moderation.

“We’d have entrées, mains, and even dessert—all balanced, nutritious, and thoughtfully prepared. It taught me to value food as a key part of well-being. Now, as a parent and my own child entering the school system in 2025, I’m determined to offer Australian families something similar: a practical, affordable, and healthy school lunch solution.”

Many parents rely heavily on canteen money as a stopgap solution, hoping their kids will make healthy choices on their own.

Yet, the reality is grim: many canteens still offer too many junk food options, leaving kids tempted by chips and sugary drinks.

"My eldest is starting Kindy this year, and like every parent, I faced the daunting question: 'What on earth will I pack for lunch?'," Mai says,

"As a full-time worker with limited time (and a husband who’s hopeless in the kitchen without My Foodie Box), I found school canteen options lacking in nutrition, variety, and affordability. So I came up with the idea to create a meal kit but for my kid’s lunchbox."

With My Foodie Box’s school lunch service, parents can have a week’s worth of healthy lunches and snacks delivered to their door for just $49.95 per week.

Each box includes balanced meals that are nutritious, tasty, and easy to eat—perfect for busy mornings and fussy eaters. The service aims to relieve lunch prep's stress, leaving parents confident their kids are well-fed and healthy.

The distribution is seamless, ensuring freshness and convenience, and $1 from every box sold is donated to the charity Eat Up, furthering Hughes’ commitment to improving child nutrition nationwide.

The service aligns with research showing that parents want healthier options and practical support to navigate the complexities of children’s diets.

My Foodie Box is proud to announce its national expansion, bringing its successful WA-based meal kit model to the east coast of Australia.

Over six years, the company has delivered over 700,000 meal kits to 20,000 customers, generating $18 million in sales.

Consumers have embraced My Foodie Box for its commitment to affordable, locally sourced ingredients, fair payments to farmers, reduced food waste, and sustainable packaging.

This expansion is powered by the strategic acquisition of Melbourne-based meal kit company Make-Out Meals, enabling a seamless transition into Victoria, New South Wales, and the ACT. With Make-Out Meals’ established logistics and local networks,

My Foodie Box can deliver on its promise of supporting local farmers and providing sustainable, high-quality meal kits to even more Australians. The expansion also includes launching an innovative kids’ lunchbox service, further enhancing its impact on families nationwide.

Mai Hughes’ upcoming equity crowdfunding campaign on Birchal invites Australians to invest in a bold vision for healthier, more sustainable living.

From reimagining school lunches to transforming how families access fresh, nutritious food, Hughes’ mission is to create lasting change for future generations—blending purpose with profit to reshape Australia’s food landscape.