According to Krystyna Radkowska, president of PIŻE, the knowledge conveyed by educators should concern not only the school curriculum, but also, among other things, supporting children in learning to make responsible consumer choices without parental supervision, e.g. in the school shop or even during summer camps.
What a shell is when you're young… children learn from adults
Access to certified organic food can make it easier to make responsible food choices that take into account not only the care of yourself and your loved ones, but also the good of the planet. That is why it is so important for children, like adults, to learn a conscious approach to nutrition and develop good habits.
– It is our responsibility, adults, to guide a young person through adolescence, to instill in them appropriate values, to sensitize them and support them in preparing for adult life. If we teach children skillfully, from an early age, how important the role of an individual is in the fight to protect our common planet, how important it is to make conscious consumer choices, we will manage to raise the "Euroleaf generation" – people responsible for the future of subsequent generations, aware that there is no planet B. Actions are needed here and now – emphasizes Krystyna Radkowska, president of the Polish Chamber of Organic Food.
At home, at school, on holiday – organic food every day!
All initiatives supporting parents and teachers in passing on knowledge to the youngest and developing habits related to proper nutrition and reaching for quality products, including certified organic food, are of course valuable. However, as the president of PIŻE emphasizes, workshops and educational meetings on ecology are still not enough – actions and systemic changes are key.
– Parents, educators and people actively working to improve the quality of children's nutrition signal to us that there is a great need for changes in this area – especially in the context of introducing organic products to schools. Therefore, as the Polish Chamber of Organic Food, we are conducting talks on the modification and regulation of the regulations on collective feeding of children in educational institutions, including the "nursery" act and the "shop" regulation. This is a big challenge, we still have a long way to go, but we are optimistic. The vast majority of EU member states give priority to local, regional products and organic food in the context of choosing products under school programs. It is time to introduce BIO to Polish schools and kindergartens, as is already happening in Germany or France – adds Krystyna Radkowska.
Experiences of EU countries in introducing organic food to schools
One of the European countries that can inspire with its commitment to promoting organic food in schools is France. In the spring of 2023, a law called Egalim3[i] was adopted there. This is a continuation of previous legal solutions aimed at improving the quality of school nutrition. According to the latest law, French schools are obliged to ensure that 20% of the food served in school canteens is organic. Part of the regulation is also an emphasis on supporting local agriculture, which is why 50% of food should come from local producers.
In Germany, on the other hand, a grassroots initiative has been working well for over 20 years – Die Bio-Brotbox[ii], which aims to educate school children and their parents about the importance of organic food. As part of this popular program in many German cities, first-graders receive organic lunch boxes on their first day at school. The box contains a variety of organic products, such as bananas, apples, whole grain bread, fruit bars, vegetable spreads, but also educational materials on nutrition. Companies and organizations, as well as celebrities, are often involved in purchasing food from local organic producers.
Why all the fuss, or what makes organic food stand out?
Certified organic food is food produced without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilizers, while maintaining soil fertility, animal welfare and biodiversity. In the controlled production process of organic food, farms are subject to the requirements specified in EU law. The use of synthetic chemicals, pesticides and herbicides is prohibited in cultivation. Instead, natural fertilizers, substances and minerals are used. In animal husbandry, all treatments are aimed at prevention, not treatment, and when an animal falls ill – the first thing it is given is plant extracts, homeopathic medicines and microelements[iii]. In order for an organic product to be called so, it must have an appropriate EU certificate. In Poland, since 2004, organic food production has been regulated by law thanks to a European Union regulation. All stages of production of these products, from the farm to distribution, are covered by an official control and certification system.
The guarantee that food comes from organic farming and production is provided by its Euroleaf marking. This EU logo confirms the authenticity of a certified BIO product and means that the food was produced in accordance with legally approved principles of cultivation, breeding and processing, with respect for the environment, climate and animal welfare. By choosing food with the Euroleaf, we support environmental protection, natural production methods and show children how important responsible consumer choices are.
