The Sofia Municipality places the complete nutrition of children at the center of its priorities and mobilizes experts, organizations and resources to ensure a better nutritional environment in municipal kindergartens. At a special meeting dedicated to this topic, the Deputy Mayor for “Education, Sports and Youth Activities” Desislava Zhelyazkova and representatives of the municipality and organizations working in the field of complete nutrition discussed specific solutions for improving the menu and eating habits of children.
Nutrition is not an abstract topic, but everyday life - menus, habits and choices that start from a very early age. Both the current kindergarten menu and new proposals for implementation were presented at the meeting, which include more fruits, vegetables and seasonal products. Emphasis was placed on all stages of the food process - from the delivery of quality products and the organization of modern kitchens, through centralized “kitchen mothers“ and food preparation, to serving and actively engaging children to try and experiment with food. Approaches were also considered on how food can become an educational tool for building lasting healthy habits.
The pilot project for a centralized kitchen will be launched in the Slatina region, where 8 kindergartens will be the first to join. As part of the initiative, small gardens will be built in which children will observe how food grows and will actively participate in tasting it. The menus will include traditional Bulgarian products, seasonal foods and new recipes that promote variety, balance and taste, tailored to the age and special needs of children, including those with food allergies and chronic diseases.
The Sofia Municipality declares its ambition to build on this dialogue with concrete actions to guarantee a complete and balanced diet for every child. The goal is a change that reaches every child and creates a foundation for a healthy lifestyle and lasting habits that are carried over to the home.
“The way children eat today determines their health tomorrow. This is a responsibility that requires decisions and perseverance“, commented Desislava Zhelyazkova.
The Sofia Municipality continues to work on the topic with a long-term commitment and the understanding that complete nutrition is an investment in the future of the city.