Funded by Nordic Innovation Centre: 2008-2010 project No HO8047
Final report: Nordic Network NTP- Healthy Choices
Authors: Héðinsdóttir,R., Ólafsdóttir, G., Einarsdóttir, G., Adólfsdóttir, G., Baardseth, P., Hundhammer, C., Naterstad, K., Lingnert, H., Prell, H., Rytter, E., Christensen, T.B.T., Johansen, L. T., Kotro, E., Tiilikainen, A., and Mokkila, M.
Abstract: Various stakeholders; politicians, municipalities, school authorities, public health authorities, food industry, catering services, school chefs and researchers share responsibility of delivering quality meals in schools. The aim of this project is to integrate the knowledge from all those disciplines to offer healthier choices to school children. The aim of the European Technology Platform – Food for Life is to deliver innovative, new and improved food products to consumers by bringing together research in nutrition, food and consumer sciences, sustainable food production and food chain management to improve quality of life. In this project, corresponding Nordic National Technology Platforms use the same concept to identify solutions that will increase children‟s consumption of healthy meals at school. Meetings and seminars with the stakeholders mentioned above, in all the Nordic countries revealed that one of the main obstacles is that some children don´t eat the school food at all. Results from surveys among parents and children have indicated that some children don´t like the food. Healthy food does not give children the necessary nutrients unless it´s eaten. Therefore, the main challenge is not only to make sure the food is healthy and nutritious, but also that it tastes good and is nicely presented in a pleasant atmosphere. The report gives recommendations, aimed at municipalities, school authorities, public health authorities, food industry, catering service, researchers and parents, on how communication and collaboration can improve quality of school meals, increase variety of healthy choices and encourage children to eat versatile, healthy and nutritious food at school.