The Canary Islands Eco-eaters Programme, an initiative launched a decade ago by the Departments of Agriculture and Education of the regional Government, has become a national example for its dedication to promoting healthy eating in schools based on organic, fresh, and seasonal produce, while also connecting with the primary sector.
This was evidenced by the recent visit of the Minister of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2023, Pablo Bustinduy, to the CEIP La Luz canteen in La Orotava, which is part of the programme. The Spanish Government is preparing a royal decree to ensure that schools provide access to a balanced, quality diet for all children, “irrespective of their family’s financial capabilities or place of birth,” while also promoting local and seasonal production.
He highlighted that one of the elements he found most intriguing about this initiative is its relationship with the primary sector, “that the agricultural produce underpins school canteens in guaranteeing a nutritious and healthy diet.” “In this regard, the Canary Islands Eco-eaters programme has made significant progress and should serve as a model for us,” he emphasised.
He recalled that a week ago the ‘Aladdin’ report was unveiled, revealing the positive development that childhood obesity has decreased by four percentage points. However, he noted there is also bad news: the improvements have not reached families with lower economic means. Thus, “it is crucial for school canteens to act as a substantial public space ensuring equal opportunities,” he added.
The minister was joined by the regional advisor for Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quintero; the president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila; the mayor of La Orotava, Francisco Linares; and the director of CEIP La Luz, Andrea Hernández, among other officials.
Narvay Quintero remarked that “the success of this programme, which has been acknowledged both nationally and internationally, is attributable to the dedication of producers, families, kitchen and dining staff, educators, and administrative teams, constituting an initiative that serves as an exemplar for certain regions and may be replicated throughout Spain.”
Currently, it benefits over 23,000 children across 120 educational institutions, but the Ministry has issued a decree that mandates all schools with a directly managed dining service to establish eco-dining rooms, alongside those indirectly managed who apply for it, thus providing a significant boost to the initiative.
All participants will consume optimal organic, local, and seasonal products, in line with nutritional guidelines, prioritising local production on each island.
