European city of Bremen claims top spot for organics

European city of Bremen claims top spot for organics

In the heart of Germany, the city of Bremen is setting an exemplary standard for sustainable and organic food systems. With its ambitious 2025 action plan, "Healthy Eating in the Communal Catering of the City of Bremen," the city aims to make communal catering in kindergartens, schools, and hospitals ecological, sustainable, and affordable.

Bremen's journey towards becoming a beacon of organic city living began in 2015, when it was designated as BioCity. This initiative aims to convert the entire municipal food supply in schools, kindergartens, and hospitals to 100% organic by 2025.

The city's progress and future plans can be summarised as follows:

Progress

1. Organic Food Procurement: BioCity Bremen has facilitated the increased use of organic and regional products within public institutions. This includes supporting canteens and cafeterias in schools, kindergartens, and hospitals to transition towards offering meals made from organic ingredients.
2. Education and Awareness Programs: They have been involved in educational initiatives aimed at children and staff in these institutions to raise awareness about the benefits of organic food and sustainable eating habits.
3. Networking and Collaboration: BioCity Bremen works closely with local producers, suppliers, and policymakers to create a robust supply chain for organic products, ensuring steady access for institutional catering services.
4. Pilot Projects and Research: They have conducted pilot projects to test new approaches to sustainable food procurement, including seasonal menu planning and reducing food waste, often involving schools and hospitals as test sites.

Future Plans

1. Expansion of Organic Offerings: Plans include scaling up the procurement of organic goods for additional schools, kindergartens, and hospitals to reach a larger number of beneficiaries.
2. Strengthening Supply Chains: Enhancing partnerships with local organic farms and suppliers to secure consistent supply and possibly reduce costs through bulk purchasing strategies.
3. Curriculum Integration: Further integrating sustainability and organic nutrition topics into educational curricula and training programs for cafeteria staff.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation: Establishing comprehensive monitoring systems to measure the impact of organic food initiatives on health outcomes, environmental benefits, and cost-effectiveness.
5. Policy Advocacy: Working with local and regional governments to advocate for policies that promote organic and sustainable food systems in public institutions.

The European Commission has recognised Bremen's efforts, awarding the city the EU Organic Award in the "Best Organic City" category. Senator Moosdorf, Senator for the Environment, Climate, and Science in Bremen, accepted the award on September 23 in Brussels.

Bremen's commitment to organic and sustainable food systems extends beyond public institutions. The city actively promotes the development of ecological food value chains in the region, with more than 30% of agricultural businesses in Bremen being certified organic.

The city empowers its citizens to drive local changes towards sustainable development. Bremen's "Healthy Eating in the Communal Catering of the City of Bremen" action plan is a testament to this, with the city's 20 small community projects serving as models for sustainable development with limited resources.

One of Bremen's key initiatives in this regard is the Kitchen Forum, Bremen's center of competence for sustainable and healthy eating in communal catering, which opened half a year ago.

In conclusion, BioCity Bremen is committed to promoting organic and sustainable food systems through practical implementation, education, collaboration, and policy support, with a clear trajectory towards expanding its reach and deepening its impact in institutional settings such as schools, kindergartens, and hospitals.

1. Recognizing the significance of science, Bremen's Kitchen Forum serves as a center of competence for sustainable and healthy eating in communal catering, emphasizing the interconnection between organic food systems, health-and-wellness, and environmental-science.
2. In collaboration with local organic farms and suppliers, Bremen aims to fortify its supply chains, ensuring a sustainable and affordable food source for both communal catering and home-and-garden use, supporting the principles of sustainable-living and climate-change mitigation.
3. The European Commission, in acknowledging Bremen's achievements, granted the city the EU Organic Award in the "Best Organic City" category, highlighting the city's dedication to organic food systems within lifestyle choices, fitness-and-exercise, and nutrition.
4. Bremen's commitment to organic agriculture extends beyond its institutional food supply, with more than 30% of its agricultural businesses receiving organic certification, thus playing a crucial role in the health-and-wellness and home-and-garden sectors.
5. To realize a healthier and greener future, Bremen's "Healthy Eating in the Communal Catering of the City of Bremen" plan and its 20 community projects serve as guidelines for implementing sustainable practices — even with limited resources — in a variety of settings, including schools, kindergartens, and fitness-and-exercise facilities.

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