Food Education: Never Too Old to Learn

'Teacher, teacher; if only they were wiser from above!', my grandfather used to say when the quality of education was discussed. His not-so-complimentary opinion as a dairy farmer arose from a lack of practical knowledge of agriculture and horticulture among teachers. Since then, the number of farmers and gardeners has continued to decline and pupils have less and less contact with the food producers. The answer is well-known when children are asked where their milk comes from: 'from the supermarket'.

Can teachers be held responsible for the lack of knowledge or have parents overlooked an educational task here? The popular TV series 'De Luizenmoeder' provides a satirical insight into the behavior of parents and school staff. Hilarious and recognizable: parents expect (too) much from teachers. And apart from the responsibility of teachers and parents: what do the food makers themselves do to contribute to a good image of the importance of healthy food? Everyone will agree that providing healthy eating habits at a young age is the basis for a healthy life; it prevents obesity and health problems and contributes to better school performance. Investing in food education in time prevents high health costs later.

Primary school teachers experience high workloads due to administrative burdens, larger classes, teacher shortages, diversity of learning needs and the continuous adjustment of teaching and training programs. All the more reason to help teachers and facilitate food education on one stage. Logical, right?

Yes and no. Schools can draw on a rich supply of (taste) lessons via www.voedseleducatie.nl en www.smaaklessen.nl. Teachers and school boards can download teaching materials here and use them in class. The learning effect increases further when children come into contact with people from the field: farmers, gardeners, fishermen and chefs. www.boerderijonderwijsnederland.nl has a large network of farms, spread throughout the Netherlands, where schools can go with complete classes. And if it is practically not feasible to go to a farm with one or more classes, the farmer comes to the school with teaching materials: www.boerindeklas.nu. Participating farmers are encouraged by financially rewarding giving guest lessons. At the same time, you may wonder whether giving guest lessons is not actually part of your role as an entrepreneur?

Compulsory food education
The extent to which practical education is offered therefore depends on learning objectives, the capacity of schools, the availability of guest farmers, incentive contributions (www.jonglereneten.nl) and the willingness to work together to make the offer for schools transparent. It would be even more effective if politics took its responsibility by including food education as a permanent component in (primary) education. With Femke Wiersma as BBB minister for agriculture, fisheries, food security and nature, there is a glimmer of hope. From the party program: 'BBB is committed to food education in primary schools, for compulsory food education from group 1, including farm visits and cooking lessons. The idea is that children are introduced to fresh food at a young age, so that they can make healthier choices later.' 

So yes, let's help each other and not just push food education onto the teachers' plate. My grandfather died in 2003 at a respectable age, he won't live to see it, but food makers, industry organizations and governments are never too old to learn. Let's join forces, for our children, for a healthy Netherlands.

Wim Groot Koerkamp

Founder ReMarkAble, co-founder BBB, founder AT THE TABLE!

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.