The Municipality of Groningen presents a food agenda to choose healthy and fresh food – Insurance for Pets

The municipality of Groningen wants to make it easier for residents with an unhealthy lifestyle to choose healthy, local and fresh food. The municipality has developed the new Food Agenda 2021-2023 for this purpose.

According to the municipality, by stimulating healthy eating, the health differences between residents and neighborhoods are reduced.

Glimina Chakor, Alderman for Sustainability & Circular Economy: ‘Food is the fuel of our existence, but food is more than just food. Food is part of our culture, it connects people and food influences our health and well-being. ‘

Since the adoption of the Groningen Growing Healthy food vision in 2012, the municipality has supported the transition to a more sustainable food system. Among other things, by supporting initiatives aimed at healthy eating, such as ‘Farmers for the Food Bank’ and the ‘Snack Bar of the Future’.

With the Food Agenda, the municipality wants to take a next step. The municipality is introducing so-called Living Labs. These are various projects to motivate residents to live healthier lives. This can be done, for example, by cooking together with people, doing the shopping, or by giving cooking lessons at school. The Living Labs start in the northern and eastern city districts where there is relatively much poverty and loneliness.

More edible greenery in the public space

The municipality is committed to more edible greenery in the public space, especially in places where the environment is petrified. An educational vegetable garden and / or a food forest will be created in the City Park. And when schoolyards are made greener, edible greenery is planted to introduce children to healthy food in a playful way.

Eat more plant-based foods

With information campaigns for students and residents, the municipality wants to draw attention to more plant-based eating patterns. The (partial) replacement of animal proteins with vegetable proteins can have positive effects on health. To set a good example, the relationship between animal and vegetable products is reversed in the canteens of the municipality, so that a predominantly vegetable lunch will soon become ‘the standard’.

In two years’ time, the food agenda will be re-examined and adjusted where necessary, on the way to a more healthy and sustainable society in 2030.

The Food Agenda 2021-2023 can be found here.