A person has the ability to prepare food using culinary skills!
The Sustainable Cooking Project at Mittelweiden Kindergarten: Nurturing Young Minds and Palates
A unique community project, the Sustainable Cooking Project at Mittelweiden Kindergarten, is teaching preschoolers the importance of healthy, environmentally friendly eating habits. This initiative, supported by the Sarah Wiener Foundation and Barmer Health Insurance, is enriching the lives of the Kindergarten's 100 children aged two to thirteen.
The Sarah Wiener Foundation, renowned for promoting sustainable food education and healthy nutrition, provides expertise and educational materials for the project. They guide the use of organic, seasonal, and locally sourced ingredients, aligning with their mission to foster food awareness and ecological responsibility from an early age.
Barmer Health Insurance, a major health insurer in Germany, supports health promotion initiatives, especially those encouraging preventive care and healthy lifestyles. They provide funding or resources to facilitate the implementation of the cooking sessions and contribute health education materials. Their involvement underscores the connection between sustainable nutrition and long-term health benefits.
Under the motto "I can cook", after-school children at the Mittelweiden Kindergarten participated in the sustainable cooking project for ten months. The children enthusiastically took part in the cooking process, using tools like whisks and cooking spoons to knead, chop, and stir. The menu included healthy options such as fruit skewers, whole grain noodles, fresh bread with dips, and baked oats with berries.
The cooking project was a significant part of the kindergarten's focus on sustainable and child-friendly nutrition. It extended beyond weekly cooking sessions, incorporating visits to farms, supermarket shopping training, and cooking classes. The children were proud to present the dishes they prepared and sat together at a laden table to enjoy their creations.
According to Melanie Priesteroth, a kindergarten teacher and 'Taste Ambassador' at Mittelweiden Kindergarten, the project helps children discover new things and gain a sense of achievement. She believes it is an important part of the children's personality development. The project days at the kindergarten, such as visits to farms and cooking classes, provide a platform for children to learn, grow, and develop a sense of independence.
With the continued support of the Sarah Wiener Foundation and Barmer Health Insurance, the Sustainable Cooking Project at Mittelweiden Kindergarten continues to foster a love for sustainable food practices among young minds, promoting both health and environmental consciousness.
- The Sustainable Cooking Project at Mittelweiden Kindergarten also provides opportunities for lifelong learning in areas such as education and self-development, especially through the exploration of various recipes and the principles of healthy cooking.
- The home-and-garden implications of the sustainable cooking project are significant, as preschoolers are taught to source ingredients locally and organically, helping instill eco-friendly habits at an early age.
- Besides enhancing their cooking skills, this project encourages the children to explore fruit-and-drink pairings that can contribute to a balanced food-and-drink lifestyle, setting a foundation for healthier choices in the future.
- The Kindergarten's involvement in the Sustainable Cooking Project has created a vibrant, diverse lifestyle for the children, infusing excitement into everyday activities like cooking and mealtime.
- The project extends beyond just the kindergarten, inspiring the families of the children to adopt sustainable cooking practices and explore the world of food-and-drink with their children, fostering a sense of community and connection through the love of cooking and nutrition.
