Secondary abstract: |
Organic food is the product of the organic farming, which is based on certification system. Organic farming is a way of sustainable agriculture, which in food processing is based on the balance in the system soil - plant -animals - human and closing the circle of nutrients circulation. Organic food does not contain pesticides, heavy metals and fertilizers.
The integration of organic food is very important in the nutrition provided by school. Regulation on Green public tender of food provides a minimum share of organic food in elementary school, which amounts ten percent. In my diploma thesis I investigate how the organizers of school meals include organic foods in the nutrition of children and what is their response. The sample included 24 school nutrition organizers of the various elementary schools in Slovenia. Data were collected through the questionnaire answered by the school nutrition organizers in selected schools. An investigation showed that schools inform students, teachers, parents and culinary staff about the importance of organic food consumption, but some should reinforce such education. Most elementary schools include organic food on the menu a few times a month. The investigation also showed that high price, low availability, producers not reporting to public tenders, and difficulties in providing sufficient quantities of organic foods are the most important negative factors which affecting on the low involvement of organic food in school nutrition. Schools would enlarge portion of organic food in school nutrition, if there will be more diverse choice and more affordable price of organic food. Slovenia, which is by law responsible for school nutrition, must create a system which would facilitate and promote schools to integrate organic food in school nutrition. |