Students forced to eat 'climate-smart' food - to save the planet

Stockholm’s red-green government has decided that the alleged emissions from the city’s meals must be reduced by almost half by 2030. Among others, the city’s students’ food is affected.

Under the management of the City of Stockholm, close to a million meals are served every week. According to a new food program, they must contribute to reducing climate impact.

“We want a plate that falls within the boundaries of the planet. Then we need to reduce the emissions from our meals by 40 percent by 2030,” says climate councilor Åsa Lindhagen (MP) to Mitt i.

At Hökarängsskolan, they started with ‘vegetarian Monday’ to gradually transition to more and more plant-based food. According to kitchen manager Katarina Nylén, their winning concept has been to sneak in plant-based foods.

“The younger children, who come directly from preschool, are already used to oatmeal. And the older students have been with us for so long now that it has become a natural part of their everyday life,” she says.

One of the program’s goals is that 70 percent of the food served in schools should be organic, and the same requirements are now placed on all dairy products.

Must save the climate

While Hökarängsskolan is highlighted as a success, other schools and activities have not come as far, according to finance councilor Karin Wanngård (S).

According to Wanngård, the storm of criticism that schools face in the beginning is tough to go through. There, the food program is seen as a help for the schools, and it’s not about pointing fingers, she assures.

“You have to reach the goals, they will be measured. But it’s a requirement for all of us in our everyday lives that we must save the climate,” she says.