Norwegian politics, Organic food | Give our children, the sick and the elderly good, nutritious food
Last year, more people died of malnutrition than corona in Norwegian nursing homes. One third of Norwegian nursing homes are malnourished. It is a stain on the welfare state of Norway.
The debate post expresses the opinions of the writer.
Health politician Erlend Svardal Bøe (H) constructs in Nettavisen an opposition between investing in more nutritious food and more organic food.
Read the case here: There is no organic food or a problem in Norwegian nursing homes
The opposite is false. Our neighboring countries can do both.
Flaut that Norway is lagging behind
Sweden and Denmark are investing heavily in organic until 2030. Both countries have a goal of 60 percent organic food in their public kitchens. They buy (organically) in large quantities in everything from municipal nursing homes and schools to state hospitals.
Sweden also has a goal of 30 percent of the agricultural area must be organic. In Denmark, the goal is 20 percent of the area and 30 percent of consumption. Our neighbors are well on their way to reaching their goals.
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It is embarrassing that Norway is so far behind. In 2018, the Conservative government even removed the target of 15 percent organic production and consumption because they were criticized by the Office of the Auditor General for doing too little.
Auditor General Per-Kristian Foss (H) came at the same time as one very specific recommendation on using public procurement as a tool to stimulate organic farming in Norway. Had the Conservative government chosen to follow the call, Norway, like Denmark, could have had a number of nursing homes that exclusively serve organic food.
An important element in the nutrition work
Paradoxically, it was precisely Danish experiences that inspired Erna Solberg to establish a subsidy scheme for food in nursing homes in 2019. Organic raw materials are part of the Danish quality promise for better meals in the institutions. It was also a burden in Norway.
Because it is entirely possible. In municipalities such as Arendal and Overhalla, organic food has been an important element in the nutrition work for several years. Well, the big organization is coming after too.
Also read: Stop subsidizing harmful foods
Viken County Municipality has set goals to create health-promoting schools with food service that is healthy, sustainable and with at least 30 percent organic for all school students in the greater county. Several of the health trusts also use organic raw materials.
St. Olav’s hospital in Trondheim is an important pioneer that has paved the way and Helse Førde is first hospital in Norway with certification.
Does not have to be more expensive
Experience shows that an investment in organic food is an important part of a quality boost for the food served. When you buy for a season, you plan better and throw less, it does not have to be more expensive with organic mat, as Svardal Bøe seems to think.
In addition, the well-being and competence of the kitchen employees is strengthened when they have the opportunity to use their skills in making with the users’ needs, rather than heating ready-made food.
The choice to focus on organic food is not about nutrition alone, although we want to strengthen Svardal Bøe to update himself on research in this field. It is also about a more environmentally friendly agriculture, with stricter requirements for animal welfare.
Strengthens the conditions for Norwegian farmers
Organic food in public procurement also means strengthening the conditions for Norwegian farmers, who can hardly be said to earn too much. Much of the organic food imported today could have been produced in Norway. When the public sector buys more organically fortified food, the purchasing system is improved, making it easier to produce, distribute, sell organic food in Norway.
The food choice works to guide public kitchens to a better food choice. We would like to invite Svardal Bøe and other politicians to visit the kitchen to see the good work when employees have the opportunity to make sustainable meals.
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We need to focus more on organic food
The entire EU has a goal of 25 percent organic before this decade is over. 14 organizations have demanded a similar goal for Norway. Among them are the Trade Union, the Fellesforbundet and the Norwegian Farmers ‘and Smallholders’ Association.
We want our new government to listen more to these, and to the public kitchen which has good experiences with organic food, even to the Conservative Svardal Bøe.