Kyoto to Use More Local Produce and Seafood in School Meals

Image by akiko@flickr. Some Rights Reserved.

More products from local farmers and fishermen will appear in school meals in Kyoto Prefecture, increasing from the 2008 ratio of 22.7 percent to 30 percent in 2013. The decision was set out in the prefecture's "Let's Eat Local Produce" plan, a new directive to promote food and agriculture education. The purpose of the increase is to promote the use of vegetables and seafood unique to Kyoto in meals at schools, hospitals and welfare facilities, and raise awareness of local producers and food culture. The plan was developed at meetings from July to November 2010. Residents' opinions and views were also reflected.

In Kyoto Prefecture, many schools use locally-grown rice. Local vegetables and fish are also highly recognized as safe and fresh, but they account for only 20 percent of all food products used in school meals.

This is partly due to a limited supply and variety of local food products that can be used in school meals. In addition, school food planners often know little about seasonal vegetables or local agricultural specialties, which causes mismatches between food supply and demand.

To increase the use of local produce in public meal services, the prefecture plans to foster food coordinators to connect local farmers and school meal planners; set up outlets for fresh local produce for use in school meals; support farmers in offering farming experience for children; and develop "farming and food education supporters," who will assist in learning through farming and cooking experiences.

Thirty Percent of School Lunch Ingredients Supplied by Local Farms in Usuki City (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029817.html

Posted: 2011/04/16 06:00:15 AM