There must be an alternative with meat, fish or poultry when the school lunch is served.
That’s what Minister for Rural Affairs Peter Kullgren (KD) says, who wants to combat “forced vegetarian” school meals.
– Let those who choose to eat vegetarian do so. But it shouldn’t be a compulsion for everyone.
Fatigue. Iron deficiency. Very hungry children. And parents who need to fork over extra money for another school lunch. These are some of the problems that arise when schools replace animal protein with vegetarian alternatives, according to Peter Kullgren (KD).
The Minister for Rural Affairs is working on a new food manifesto to fight back against what he calls a “forced vegetarian” development driven by the Green Party and “poster oriented climate policy”.
Climate problems cannot be solved by “pulling the meatballs”, according to him.
– Fifteen-year-old guys who exercise a lot, veg food is simply not enough for them and they don’t like it either. But the absolute biggest problem is the risk that the kids won’t eat.
“Should not be a compulsion”
Before the election, he will come forward with a demand that schools must offer a school meal option with meat, fish or poultry.
– Let those who choose to eat vegetarian do so. But it shouldn’t be a compulsion for everyone.
Do you see any advantages of vegetarian food, that it can be cheaper, for example?
– It is possible and there are certainly municipalities that have counted on it. I have also heard examples of vegetarian food becoming more expensive.
Haven’t schoolchildren always complained about the school food?
– Yes, they have. And there are many kids who whine even though they shouldn’t. But here I agree with them, they have the right to complain about being forced to eat a diet that you have not actively chosen.
He eats it himself
Kullgren believes that there are ways to ensure that there will be a meat alternative in school, but that he has not “landed concretely” on what it should look like.
– You can go the way of whips or the way of carrots to solve this. Maybe that’s a bad analogy. Whip or steak!
– Then it is clear that the state has very little to do with public meals. It is the responsibility of municipalities and regions.
The Christian Democrats’ food manifesto is to fight back against what Peter Kullgren sees as one-sided dietary advice and generalizing statements about what food you should eat.
– Unfortunately, food has become very political and quite polarizing.
Peter Kullgren himself usually eats animal protein.
– But I often eat vegetarian with the meat.
