School canteens: Toulouse launches the project for a new central kitchen
A study will be launched for a new central kitchen in Toulouse. The multiplication of small kitchens to improve the quality of schoolchildren’s plates, considered too expensive, is excluded.
In school canteens, does the quality of meals depend on the proliferation of decentralized kitchens, as the departmental council has done in 86 of its 97 colleges? Yes, believes the opposition socialist municipal councilor at the Toulouse town hall, Vincent Gibert, also a departmental councilor. During the city council of October 22, the elected representative is negotiated on the subject of the central cuisine of Toulouse, implements in Basso-Cambo where 30,000 meals are made per day mainly for Toulouse schoolchildren but also senior restaurants and the social restaurant. For Vincent Gibert, “industrial manufacture cannot be synonymous with quality. “A quality in the plates that he also judges” not to go “.
On the occasion of his response, Jean-Jacques Bolzan, deputy mayor, unveiled the upcoming launch by the town hall of a study for the construction of a new central kitchen. “We are only at the beginning”, explains the elected representative for whom such an infrastructure will have to emerge during the next mandate. A significant investment amounting to some 50 M € made necessary by the imminent saturation of the site and the end of the use of the trays.
Heading for the Capitol
But the deputy mayor set the framework: “in the fourth largest city in France, we cannot make several small units because of exorbitant costs”. To date, Toulouse has 210 public nursery and primary schools. In support of his demonstration, Jean-Jacques Bolzan cited the example of Montpellier where the mayor gave up such an option. “One kitchen per school is extremely expensive and we would have been blocked materially. 30% of establishments do not have the capacity, ”said Michael Delafosse (PS) last July, renouncing a campaign pledge. In Paris, on the other hand, several decentralized units are in operation, says Vincent Gibert.
The debate did not escape the mayor. “You are suggesting a considerable new expense to us. With what credits? », Launched Jean-Luc Moudenc to the only elected socialist of the assembly. “Leave me your seat and with the services I will answer you,” replied Vincent Gibert, who has set his political course there.
On the quality of the plate, Jean-Jacques Bolzan defended himself: “46% of the products are local, 54% are labeled and 35% organic. “In 2022, the elected representative wants to offer one meal per month 100% produced from Occitanie.