Youth Marketeers to the minister!
More vegetable gardens in the city. A biological hamburger by McDonalds! Youths of the Youth Marketeers’ own Thinknetwork WOOH entered into discussion about ‘better food.’ The discussion took place during the Better Food (Beter Eten) Festival in Den Bosch, Capital of Flavour 2010. In association with the Week of Flavour, the Ministry of EL&I (Economy, Agriculture, and Innovation) organized a youth debate led by Aldith Hunkar (famous from a youth news program) in cooperation with Youth Marketeers. Minister Gerda Verburg who is under resignation was present to talk with the youths.
Better Food Live-Chat
About 30 WOOHs from all over the country and members of Youth Environment Active (Jongeren Milieu Actief (JMA)) and the Youth Food Movement (YFM) entered into discussion about what “better food” is according to them. The talks were also followed live via the chat by hundreds of WOOHs.
Eating responsibly
A large part of the youths didn’t really seem to understand at the start what the terms ‘sustainable’ or ‘better’ food’ meant, whereas a number of others were able to give examples while explaining why they try to make sustainable choices in their food purchases. They slowly started talking and after an hour the most interesting questions were asked by the youths who had admitted never thinking about the origins of their food or how it has been produced! Somebody even shouted, “We have to unite and object to make clear that we think the government should inform us about the differences between ‘ordinary’ products and their organic counterpart.” Youth Marketeers not only suggested a youth campaign, they also wanted to better inform adults.
Taste classes in school
At the end the youths told the minister that they think the government must teach kids where all of our food comes from. They should also stop subsidizing mass-produced milk. If the youths had any say in it, this money would be used to stimulate the organic dairy farms to make bio products more affordable. To end the day well and talk about the future of our food, the councilors, board members, entrepreneurs, and youths gathered around the table to follow a cooking workshop using products from the region. The workshop was led by chef Evert Thielen.
