The school food is currently a hot topic of conversation in Östersund.
Many parents and students are sharply critical of the municipality that has changed to a more climate -smart menu with more vegetarian dishes.
– Of course it is important to think about the climate, but I think it is more important that we students can perform in school. And it is not possible to perform when you cannot eat the food and be allowed to go to the lessons on an empty stomach, says Arvid Stål Glove, who is nine at Lugnviksskolan in Östersund.
Since last fall, the municipality of Östersund has changed the diet at all schools and preschools.
It is mainly about the students being allowed to eat more food from the plant kingdom.
Among other things, the use of beef is reduced, kitchen cream is replaced by oat -based alternatives and rice is replaced by, among other things, bulgur and food wheat.
– Food is one of the things that affects the climate most and where we have a greatest chance to influence. We have selected dishes that we believe are popular and at the same time give less climate imprints, says Linnea Davinder, meal developer at Östersund Municipality.
“Often weird food”
But this is something that created a real debate.
Some parents have been critical of the new menu in schools and pointed out that their children do not eat the food served.
– It is more vegetarian now than before and I often think it is strange food that you hardly know what it is, says Hedda Lilliesköld, who is nine at Lugnviksskolan in Östersund.
The National Food Agency, on the other hand, states that it is very good to have a climate -smart menu that is also nutritious.
– According to the School Act, school meals must be nutritious. And climate and health often go hand in hand, so what is good for health is also good for the climate and vice versa, says Elin Sandström, adviser at the Unit for Sustainable Food Consumption at the National Food Agency.
Municipality: has chosen the wrong dishes
The municipality states that the criticism has been taken against the vegetarian -focused menu, but that nevertheless will continue to serve food with a less climate impact.
– We have in consultation with the students changed some of the dishes in the future, says Linnea Davinder, meal developer at Östersund Municipality.
So you have partly chosen the wrong dishes so far?
– Well, yes you could say that.