pravice do zdravja na krožniku / right to health on the plate

Številne raziskave potrjujejo, da ima kakovostna in zdrava prehrana v otroštvu ključen vpliv na kakovost življenja posameznika, njegovo uspešnost v poklicnem in zasebnem življenju ter na pojavnost težjih obolenj in življenjsko dobo. Zagotavljanje vsaj minimalno enakovrednih možnosti za vse otroke na tem področju je eden od ciljev Uredbe o zelenem javnem naročanju, ki določa obvezni delež lokalno ekološko pridelanih živil v prehrani otrok v javnih zavodih, kot so vrtci in šole. Ta delež znaša najmanj 12 % od leta 2023 in 15 % od leta 2024. Lokalna ekološka živila so praviloma prehransko najkakovostnejša in najbolj zdrava, vendar so hkrati dražja, zato je ob različnih socialno-ekonomskih možnostih družin dosledno izvajanje uredbe še posebej pomembno za zmanjševanje neenakosti.

Kljub jasnim ciljem se uredba v praksi pogosto izvaja pomanjkljivo, predvsem zaradi nezadostnih finančnih sredstev za nabavo lokalnih ekoloških živil, pomanjkanja ustreznega kadra za organizacijo tovrstnih nabav ter nezadostnega izobraževanja na področju trajnostne in kakovostne prehrane. Slednje je tudi posledica omejene vključenosti teh vsebin v redne vzgojno-izobraževalne programe. Javne ustanove imajo pri tem ključno vlogo, saj ne zagotavljajo le dostopa do zdrave prehrane, temveč tudi enakovredne možnosti za vzgojo in izobraževanje otrok in mladostnikov o pomenu kakovostne prehrane ter lokalne in ekološke pridelave hrane.

Zato je Zveza društev ekoloških kmetov Slovenije v okviru projekta z različnimi zagovorniškimi aktivnostmi – izobraževanjem, povezovanjem deležnikov ter ozaveščanjem javnosti in odločevalcev – prizadevala za odpravo navedenih pomanjkljivosti in izboljšanje zakonodajnega ter strateškega okvira. Projekt je neposredno prispeval k izboljšanju vsebin in načinov uresničevanja nacionalne zakonodaje ter strateških dokumentov na področju prehrane, zdravja in trajnostnega razvoja.

Kaj smo dosegli

• Prispevali smo k ohranitvi ciljnih deležev ekološke hrane v javnih zavodih, saj se ti kljub pritiskom niso znižali v Uredbi o zelenem javnem naročanju.
• Vzpostavili smo konkretne podporne instrumente za izvajanje uredbe, zlasti z zagovarjanjem in soustvarjanjem izobraževanj za osebje v šolah in vrtcih, ki jih zdaj pripravlja MKGP.
• Okrepili smo zagovorniško vlogo pri odločevalcih, saj smo predloge za spremembe Nacionalnega programa vzgoje in izobraževanja predstavili in zagotovili podporo vseh štirih največjih poslanskih skupin.
• Povečali smo zavedanje o pomenu trajnostne in ekološke prehrane, pri čemer je okrepljeno razumevanje izkazalo vsaj 25 organizacij iz javnega, nevladnega in medijskega sektorja.
• Vključili smo več kot 250 udeležencev aktivnosti ter dosegli pomembno medijsko vidnost, vključno z nacionalnimi televizijskimi in radijskimi prispevki.
• ZDEKS smo uveljavili kot ključnega strokovnega sogovornika, saj nas relevantne institucije (zlasti MKGP) vse pogosteje vključujejo v nadaljnje aktivnosti na področju javne prehrane.

Prispevek k indikatorjem programa Impact4Values

• Število izdanih publikacij: 1
• Število ozaveščevalnih kampanj: 1
• Število udeležencev aktivnosti: 304
• Število oseb, ki so koristili vaše storitve (npr. svetovanje, pravne nasvete, izobraževanja): 67

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Numerous studies confirm that high-quality, healthy nutrition in childhood has a decisive impact on an individual’s overall quality of life, success in professional and personal life, the prevalence of serious illnesses, and life expectancy. Ensuring at least minimal equal opportunities for all children in this regard is one of the objectives of the Green Public Procurement Regulation, which sets mandatory minimum shares of locally produced organic food in meals prepared for children in public institutions such as kindergartens and schools. This share amounts to at least 12% as of 2023 and 15% as of 2024. Locally produced organic foods are generally the most nutritious and healthiest, but they are also more expensive. Given the differing socio-economic circumstances of families, consistent implementation of the regulation is therefore particularly important for reducing inequalities.

Despite its clear objectives, the regulation is often poorly implemented in practice. This is primarily due to insufficient financial resources for the procurement of local organic food, a lack of adequate staff to organise such procurement processes, and limited education on sustainable and healthy nutrition. The latter is also a consequence of the insufficient integration of these topics into regular educational curricula. Public institutions play a crucial role in this context, as they not only provide access to healthy food but also ensure equal opportunities for children and young people to learn about quality nutrition and the principles of local and organic food production.

In response to these challenges, the Association of Organic Farmers’ Organisations of Slovenia, through the project, sought to address these shortcomings by influencing changes in relevant legislation and strategic policy frameworks. Through a range of advocacy activities—including education, stakeholder networking, and awareness-raising among the public and decision-makers—the project directly contributed to improving the content and implementation of national legislation and strategic documents in the fields of nutrition, health, and sustainable development.

What we achived

• We contributed to maintaining the target shares of organic food in public institutions, as these were not reduced in the Regulation on Green Public Procurement despite external pressures.
• We established concrete support instruments for the implementation of the regulation, particularly by advocating for and co-creating training programmes for staff in schools and kindergartens, which are now being prepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food.
• We strengthened our advocacy role with decision-makers, as we presented proposed amendments to the National Programme of Education and Training and secured the support of all four largest parliamentary groups.
• We increased awareness of the importance of sustainable and organic food, with enhanced understanding demonstrated by at least 25 organisations from the public, non-governmental, and media sectors.
• We engaged more than 250 participants in project activities and achieved significant media visibility, including coverage on national television and radio.
• We established ZDEKS as a key expert interlocutor, as relevant institutions—particularly the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food—are increasingly involving us in further activities related to public nutrition and food systems.

Contribution to Impact4Values programme indicators

• Number of publications issued: 1
• Number of awareness-raising campaigns: 1
• Number of participants in project activities: 304
• Number of individuals who used your services (e.g. counselling, legal advice, training): 67