Ability to prepare meals successfully
The Middleweiden Kindergarten in Koblenz, Germany, has embarked on an exciting journey in collaboration with the Sarah Wiener Foundation and Barmer Health Insurance. The project, titled "I can cook", aims to teach children about sustainable food production, healthy nutrition, and the joy of cooking.
The Sarah Wiener Foundation, founded by renowned chef Sarah Wiener, is dedicated to improving school and kindergarten meals across Germany. It advocates for the use of organic, locally sourced, and seasonal ingredients, and promotes food education to instill healthy, sustainable eating habits from an early age.
Barmer Health Insurance, one of Germany's leading health insurance providers, supports health promotion and preventive projects, especially those targeting children and families. The partnership with the Middleweiden Kindergarten is a testament to their commitment to fostering healthy habits among the youngest members of society.
The project's goals are manifold. They include teaching children about sustainable food production, healthy nutrition, reducing food waste, and understanding where food comes from. The project also strives to create a joyful and engaging cooking environment that supports children's development and health.
Melanie Priesteroth, a Caritas employee and active 'taste ambassador' in the kindergarten, emphasizes the importance of these experiences for the children's personality development. The children at Middleweiden Kindergarten have been actively participating in cooking, using various kitchen tools, and preparing dishes with regional and seasonal products such as healthy fruit skewers, whole grain noodles, fresh bread, and baked oats.
The kindergarten, which currently cares for 100 children aged two to thirteen, organizes project days for children to discover new things and gain a sense of achievement. The cooking project has now been running for ten months, and the children are proud of the dishes they prepare and are seated at a laden table to enjoy them together.
The project's ultimate goal is to create lasting awareness among children, educators, and parents about sustainable food systems and health, potentially influencing broader community attitudes towards nutrition and environmental responsibility. The Middleweiden Kindergarten's commitment to healthy and sustainable nutrition plays a crucial role in its pedagogical work, and the project continues to foster these values.
This collaborative initiative is a shining example of how partnerships between organisations can contribute to the development of healthy, sustainable, and enjoyable eating habits among children. The "I can cook" project at Middleweiden Kindergarten is not just about cooking; it's about fostering a lifelong love for food, nutrition, and the environment.
- The Sarah Wiener Foundation promotes food education to instill healthy, sustainable eating habits from an early age, focusing on sustainable food production, healthy nutrition, and the joy of cooking.
- The project, "I can cook", in collaboration with the Sarah Wiener Foundation and Barmer Health Insurance, aims to create a joyful and engaging cooking environment that supports children's development and health, incorporating sustainable-living principles.
- The Middleweiden Kindergarten, through this project, encourages children to learn about reducing food waste, understanding where food comes from, and preparing dishes using local and seasonal products, such as fruit skewers, whole grain noodles, fresh bread, and baked oats.
- Melanie Priesteroth, an active 'taste ambassador' in the kindergarten, underlines the significance of these experiences for children's personal growth, emphasizing their positive impact on the children's personality development.
- The goal of the "I can cook" project is to establish lasting awareness among children, educators, and parents about sustainable food systems and health, ultimately influencing broader community attitudes towards nutrition, self-development, and environmental responsibility.
