Lunch in the Bavarian school canteen is important, but the children don't always like it. In order for the quality to improve, the Greens are not only demanding a switch to organic food.
Munich (dpa/lby) - According to the will of the Greens in the state parliament, Bavaria's primary school children should in future receive a free organic lunch - ideally prepared by the children. "We want to bring as many children as possible to the table with the free healthy food. Eating together has always been community-building. This is how we strengthen togetherness at schools," said parliamentary group leader Katharina Schulze of the German Press Agency in Munich. On Tuesday, the state parliament will deal with the draft law for the first time, which, according to Schulze, also makes a contribution to climate protection. "Because the 100% organic portion of lunch strengthens ecological agriculture by providing a secure market for the school segment," emphasized Schulze.
The aim of the application is that all Bavarian elementary schools that offer lunch for their pupils can serve meals prepared according to specified quality criteria. The Free State should cover the costs as completely as possible: The draft law therefore provides for a subsidy of up to 6.59 euros per lunch. According to the German Society for Nutrition, with an amount of 6.59 euros per day per student, it is possible to offer lunch at an average primary school that consists of 100 percent organic products.
"Our Green draft law increases equal opportunities because socially disadvantaged children in particular benefit from a free and healthy lunch at school. Experiences from other countries show us that," emphasized Gabriele Triebel, member of the Green Party and member of the Education Committee. So-called diseases of affluence that are promoted or caused by obesity, such as diabetes, also cause high costs.
"According to the German Obesity Society, a large number of children and young people gained significant weight during the corona pandemic - to an extent that has never happened before. This is really alarming," Triebel continued. At the same time, the production of organic food will be boosted.
It would also be desirable for the students to be involved in the choice of food and to be involved in the preparation, as is already the case in some schools. In this way, the children learned how to handle food properly.
"When thinking about eating in the school canteen, many schoolchildren today prefer to get a meat loaf from the nearest snack bar," said Gisela Sengl, spokeswoman for agricultural policy for the parliamentary group. This must change, the state must take responsibility for the health and development of children.
