Make Food Education Mandatory
Children know remarkably little about food. Time to change that. A petition has been submitted as part of a campaign by Youth Food Movement, calling for food education in primary schools. We completely agree.
Good food in schools has been an issue for some time. Cafeterias full of fatty and sugary foods, and teenagers who mindlessly wolf down two pink cakes and a bag of M&M’s during their break. Jamie Oliver illustrates how much attention this has received in recent years with his legendary documentary series School Dinners.
Children turn out not to know what an eggplant or radish looks like
A carrot?
This wonderful yet shocking video by Youth Food Movement (YFM) shows just how poor children’s awareness and knowledge of what constitutes good food really is. Children turn out not to know what an eggplant or radish looks like, and think that carrots grow on trees.
Education
At the FavorFlav editorial office, we talk about food all day long. We tell one another what we are going to eat and when, which restaurants are still on our lists, and constantly exchange cooking tips. That way, we learn a lot from one another. But not everyone moves in circles where food is the number-one topic of conversation. However, basic knowledge about the value and importance of good food is, as far as we are concerned, a must. Everyone should be able to acquire this knowledge.
Food education can play an important role in raising awareness around food. Knowing where the food you put in your mouth comes from and what it does to your body: as far as we are concerned, these are fundamental questions you should already be thinking about as a child. Food education in primary schools therefore seems like a very good idea to us.
Good news
There is now a municipality where food education is a regular part of the curriculum in primary schools. In Middelburg, all primary schools will offer taste lessons starting next autumn.
The issue has also reached the political arena. Recently (11-04-2017), 40,000 signatures were handed over at the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Politicians must now consider this matter.
