Healthy Eating Minister: Funds for free school meals are lacking
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The feeding of children in school and kindergarten remains a major issue. (Archive photo) Photo
© Sina Schuldt/dpa
All-day schools cannot just be about good teaching. If children spend a lot of time there, the demand for good food automatically arises – but how can this be financed?
Minister of Food and Agriculture has raised hopes for free meals at schools in Lower Saxony Miriam Staudte has kept her hopes of a free lunch for the foreseeable future. “Unfortunately, our goal of free lunch is not yet within reach,” said the Green Party politician. At the moment, all political levels are busy patching up major financial holes. “We are familiar with the austerity debates at the federal level, and things are not looking much better at the state level either,” said the minister, referring to possible financial leeway.
Nevertheless, Staudte stressed at a panel discussion of the Association of German School and Daycare Caterers in Gifhorn that the food on offer in the cafeterias is becoming increasingly important in view of the longer school days. “With the establishment of all-day schools, meals in schools are becoming increasingly important as a place to live and learn,” she said. “Children and young people not only need regular meals, the food also has to be healthy, varied and, of course, tasty,” said Staudte.
Minister: Needs elsewhere virulent
In the coalition agreement, the red-green state government agreed to offer free, high-quality, and if possible regional, school lunches. The municipalities, which as school authorities are responsible for the organization and pricing, should actually be discussing implementation. But the plan is still stalling. “There are many needs elsewhere that are very acute right now,” admitted Minister Staudte.
She agreed with the majority on the podium that the cafeterias should also be places of learning. With regard to all-day schools, lessons and meals should not be separated. From the minister’s point of view, there should be model schools in which the relevance to life and the importance of good food are made clear, for example through children’s kitchens. The state is trying to make a contribution with advice and initiatives. “I think it is important that we as the state government take seriously the fact that the municipalities really need support,” said Staudte.
Half a million potential eaters
Figures from the Ministry of Education give an idea of the importance of school meals. There is no data on the number of pupils who regularly eat in daycare or school. However, it can be roughly said that there are more than 500,000 potential eaters in the country’s schools, a ministry spokesperson said in response to a query. A decree from the ministry also requires that a hot lunch must be offered in all-day schools.
According to nutritionist Ulrike Arens-Azevêdo, Germany sees no opportunities when it comes to food in institutions. Education and food must finally be seen as a unit, said the former president of the German Nutrition Society. If investments were made in food, a wealth of advantages would result. According to Arens-Azevêdo, studies show that illnesses are avoided, children are more attentive and motivated, and their career opportunities increase. This is evident in Scandinavia, for example, where food is financed through taxes.
Criticism: High demands of many parents drive up costs
As a voice of the local authorities, Gifhorn’s mayor Matthias Nerlich (CDU) spoke out against a blanket free lunch. He believes that sharing the costs would be more sensible. For example, he was not a fan of free daycare, because in Gifhorn the money was invested in the quality of the facilities.
There was also criticism from the audience, i.e. the caterers who take care of the food. It cannot be that one of the richest industrial nations in the world cannot provide children with decent food, said one participant. A colleague also pointed out that many parents have absurdly high expectations, which drives up costs. Another participant said that the priorities are clear when the federal and state governments would rather save the Meyer Werft shipyard with many millions of euros than invest in children’s food at manageable costs.
dpa
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What are the challenges facing free school meal programs in Lower Saxony according to Minister Miriam Staudte?
Healthy Eating Minister: Funds for Free School Meals are Lacking
Image: Feeding children in school and kindergarten remains a major issue. (Archive photo) Photo: Sina Schuldt/dpa
Despite the growing need for nutritious meals in schools, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Miriam Staudte, has expressed concerns about the lack of funding for free school meals in Lower Saxony. The Green Party politician emphasized that the current financial situation makes it challenging to achieve the goal of providing free lunch for students. “Unfortunately, our goal of free lunch is not yet within reach,” said Staudte.
The Importance of Healthy Meals in Schools
With the increasing trend of all-day schools, the demand for healthy and varied meals in schools is becoming more pressing. Staudte highlighted the significance of providing nutritious food in schools, stating, “Children and young people not only need regular meals, the food also has to be healthy, varied, and, of course, tasty.” The minister’s comments came during a panel discussion with the Association of German School and Daycare Caterers in Gifhorn.
Financial Constraints
Staudte noted that the current financial situation at both the federal and state levels is strained, making it difficult to allocate sufficient funds for free school meals. “We are familiar with the austerity debates at the federal level, and things are not looking much better at the state level either,” the minister explained. Despite the challenges, Staudte emphasized the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of students.
Longer School Days and the Need for Nutrition
The minister’s concerns are well-founded, as longer school days are becoming more common in Germany. This shift towards all-day schools has led to an increased demand for nutritious meals that cater to the diverse needs of students. Staudte stressed that meals in schools are not only essential for students’ physical health but also play a crucial role in their educational performance and overall well-being.
A Call to Action
While the current financial constraints may hinder the implementation of free school meals, Staudte’s comments serve as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing the health and well-being of students. By highlighting the need for nutritious meals in schools, the minister is encouraging policymakers to re-evaluate their priorities and allocate sufficient funds to support the health and education of future generations.
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Healthy Eating Minister Miriam Staudte expresses concerns about the lack of funds for free school meals in Lower Saxony, highlighting the importance of nutritious meals in schools for students’ health and education.
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