The reality
Young people are growing up in a world full of unhealthy temptations. Unhealthy food is everywhere: online, on the way to school and in the supermarket. The result? Young people consume too much sugar, fat and salt. This calls for action, especially at school.
Every school day, thousands of young people attend secondary education and vocational education. These are places where they learn, develop and build their future. What young people see and choose at school matters. Today and later in life.
Together towards a demonstrably healthier offering
That is why a group of education caterers and vending machine operators are joining forces. Building on the Healthy Food at Schools Agreement (2021–2025), they will strengthen their collaboration in the coming years under the name School Food Collective. The focus is on one clear goal: continuing to make the offering in school cafeterias demonstrably healthier.
They are doing this by offering young people innovative, healthier products. With nutritious ingredients, less sugar and salt, and more vegetables and fruit. Healthy, tasty and affordable for pupils and students.
In the School Food Collective, education caterers and vending machine operators work together with JOGG (Healthy Youth, Healthy Future). The education caterers and vending machine operators take the lead in action, while JOGG connects the parties and keeps the course. Independent partners such as the Netherlands Nutrition Centre and higher education and research institutions are also involved. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre is a knowledge partner in the field of healthy, sustainable offerings and food choice behaviour, and advises on the implementation of the Guidelines for Healthy Food Environments. Higher education and research institutions focus on monitoring, evaluation and identifying what works. This creates a strong foundation for knowledge sharing and innovation, contributing to accelerating the necessary change in norms.
In addition, the School Food Collective needs partners who contribute to an innovative and healthy offering. Producers and water partners play an active role in this. As ‘partners of’ the collective, they are committed to a healthy and appealing offering at school. Producers demonstrably improve their product ranges and develop innovative products. Water partners ensure that their water stations meet the established criteria and actively encourage pupils and students to drink water.
Looking ahead to 2030
The group’s shared ambition is clear: a healthy offering in all school cafeterias by 2030. In this way, we are building a future in which young people feel more energetic, perform better and carry healthy habits with them throughout their lives.
Next steps and plans for 2026
Later this year, the School Food Collective will present its plans more widely. It will then become clear what this will mean for schools in concrete terms and how demonstrable results will be established. With this step, the caterers reaffirm their lasting commitment to working together on healthy food at schools.