On this year’s International School Meals Day, the SchoolFood4Change partners ICLEI Europe and IFOAM Organics Europe facilitated an intergenerational dialogue at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, bringing young voices to the forefront of European food policy discussions. The delegation, consisting of a class of 13 year old schoolchildren and their teachers from the Markgräfler Gymnasium in Müllheim (Germany), city representatives, and ICLEI advocates, were invited to the powerhouse of the European Union by Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Dario Nardella to meet with EU Commissioners and other Parliamentarians vision for healthier and more sustainable school meals in Europe.
A significant moment of the event was the official handover of the petition, with more than 111,000 signatures, calling for free, healthy school meals for all children. Addressed to the European Commission, the petition underscores the need for free, nutritious school food paired with food education as a means to combat health inequalities and food insecurity among young people.
Policymakers Voice Their Support for Healthy School Meals
During the session, policymakers expressed their commitment to ensuring healthier school meals and food education. Here’s what they had to say!
Schools must be a place to protect children’s health. We must involve parents and families in this effort and ensure that we reduce costs without sacrificing quality.
– MEP Dario NardellaProviding good food is a responsibility of politicians and schools, but children must also learn where their food comes from.
– Christophe Hansen, Commissioner for the Agriculture and FoodFor small-scale procurements, we need to give the possibility of buying locally. Sourcing food locally ensures both quality and fair income for producers.
– MEP Herbert DorfmannNutritious meals should be accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status.
– MEP Christine Singer
Incorporating 20% organic food in school meals could potentially unlock €2 billion in market demand and create 80,000 jobs in rural areas… School meals should not only be seen as a daily necessity but as a strategic policy tool to deliver health and sustainability.
– Eduardo Cuoco, IFOAM Organics Europe office DirectorDietary habits in the EU could be significantly improved. Over half of European adults are overweight, leading to higher risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
Alarmingly, one in three children is at risk of obesity. Now is the time to act.
– Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for the Health and Animal WelfareThe Important thing today is healthy school meals for every child and every school in Europe. Procurement is the most important leverage for food system transformation.
– MEP Manuela Ripa
We think that school meals play a crucial role in the ecological transition, social justice, and for promoting public health. We want more local food and we want to introduce two vegetarian meals per week. We want fair prices for families. We also emphasize legumes, such as lentils, because they require less water and fewer pesticides. This is beneficial both for children’s health and for the environment. As a city, we need the support of the EU to go further.
– Jeanne Barseghian, Mayor of Strasbourg
Children Speak Out about Their School Food Experience
The final part of the event saw an engaging Q&A session, where students shared their perspectives on school meals, highlighting both their disappointments and hopes for change. One child remarked, “The food in our school’s canteen is not great nor tasty. And there are barely any vegetarian options.” Another student added, “There is too much pasta and too much pork. I would like to have more vegetables.”
When asked about the role of schools in teaching healthy eating habits, the kids agreed that schools are crucial spaces for learning about nutrition. “Why do we learn so little about food in school?” one child inquired, sparking reflections from Peter Defranceschi, ICLEI’s Europe Brussels Office Director.
As the petition continues to gain momentum, the message is clear: All children deserve tasty, nutritious, school meals and schools are essential for teaching kids about healthy diets and where their food comes from (food education). Public support is vital to making this vision a reality, and initiatives like SchoolFood4Change are leading the way towards a healthier future.
