Zwolle
Zwolle was one of the seven festival locations. The festival there began with welcome speeches by Marijn Mooij, college director of Deltion College, and Petra Verhoef, director of the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. This was followed by an inspiring example from a school in the region.
During the knowledge sessions, participants could learn more about safeguarding a healthy school canteen, involving students in the healthy school canteen and/or the food environment around the school, the Wheel of Five in the school canteen, and Jong Leren Eten.
The festival also put the schools that signed the Ambition Statement in the spotlight. In addition, Michiel van Willigen, alderman of the municipality of Zwolle, presented the Healthy School Canteen award to the schools that have a healthy school canteen.
Overijssel was also one of the provinces that took part in the School Canteen Challenge Snack. In Zwolle, the finalists gave presentations about their School Canteen Challenge Snack, including a tasting session. The jury then announced that Wrappie was the winner. For an overview of all nominees and the prize winners in other provinces, click here.
The importance of the Healthy School Canteen
Tamara Coppenhagen, project manager of the Food Environments Programme at the Netherlands Nutrition Centre: “With Healthy School Canteen Day, we put all participating schools in the spotlight. These schools are working towards a healthy and sustainable food environment, where pupils and students learn every day what healthy and sustainable food is. They are an essential link in helping young people grow up healthy, with consideration for the world around them.”
The aim for 2024 is for the number of schools actively working on the Healthy School Canteen to rise to 70%. At present, this figure is 65%; according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the target of 70% is achievable.