Germany/Free lunch recommended for children

160 randomly selected participants discussed nutrition at a citizens' assembly and have now presented their recommendations. The most important suggestion is free meals in schools and daycares. But there are eight other tips.

The "Nutrition in Transition" Citizens' Assembly has presented its recommendations to the German Bundestag. A total of nine tips were presented to the President of the Bundestag, Bärbel Bas. The first is the recommendation that all children in the country should receive a free, healthy breakfast every day in day-care centers and schools.

This is a matter for the Länder, but the federal government should fund at least half of it. Until now, only children at risk of poverty could receive a free lunch. The recommendation is that the expansion should promote healthy eating for children. Free lunches could be introduced in stages over the next eight years, starting with nurseries.

A label and new VAT rates

The 160 participants in the citizens' assembly also recommended a mandatory label for conscious purchases, compulsory distribution of edible food by food retailers, and transparent presentation of the living conditions and origin of animals. A new tax rate on food products is also needed.

The Citizen's Council also recommends healthy, balanced and adapted collective catering in hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, homes for the elderly and other care establishments. It proposes a consumption tax to promote animal welfare and an age limit for energy drinks. There should also be more staff for food inspections.

"An innovative example of living democracy

The Citizens' Council met over three weekends to formulate its recommendations, and Zoom meetings were also held. "The German Bundestag's first Citizens' Assembly is a successful and innovative example of living democracy," explained Bundestag President Bas. The completed citizens' report is due to be submitted to them on February 20. At this event, an initial cross-party discussion of the recommendations with specialist politicians is planned.

Subsequently, the citizens' report will be discussed in plenary and in specialist committees. A scientific advisory board, on which all parliamentary groups in the German Bundestag have appointed experts, has supported the committee in its work. However, the ideas of the Citizens' Assembly are not binding on the legislative power.

Last summer, Bundestag President Bas selected participants for the Citizens' Assembly in a "citizens' lottery". According to the Bundestag, almost 20,000 randomly selected citizens were contacted and over 2,000 of them registered for possible participation in the Citizens' Assembly.

Source: www.tagesschau.de/