NAME: FOODSCHOOL
INITIATOR: Domen Virant
LOCATION: Slovenia
SUMMARY: More and more citizens lack knowledge about food production, farmer lives, living with nature, livestock etc. The easiest way for spreading knowledge is through the school system. But for farmers, they are very important also parents, because they have money and they are buying food. We can connect different sectors and groups of citizens in big circles. Farmers – school/kindergarten – parents – students – farmers.
Farmers provide school meals and food also farmers can provide space for lessons on their farmland and for classrooms in nature. Farmers can also organize some workshops for students or teachers. On the other hand, schools can organize in front of the school “school market” where parents can buy supplies from farmers with whom schools collaborate. Schools can also take care of spreading publicity of the “school market” and organization. For parents who are the market visitors and buyers from the farmer, is a very good opportunity for networking with other parents, the community, etc.
By buying from local farmers the parents are also a good example for their children. Parents can also connect with farmers and spare some free time on the farm to help with work. It can be a very cheap recreation and a good method for how their children that they have to be grateful to the farmers for daily food. Students can help farmers also with making some videos, editing the website etc. So in this initiative, we want to make stronger connections between the public and private sectors and throw spreading knowledge to sell farmers’ products.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN INNOVATIVE ASPECTS?
The connection between private and public sectors. A win-win situation for all partners in the circle. With this cooperation, all partners work and cooperate for local community welfare.
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL TO IMPROVE THE POSITION OF THE FARMER IN THE VALUE CHAIN? Through this initiative, farmers can sell large quantities to schools/kindergartens and also some products with higher prices to parents or other members of the community.
WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL TO CONNECT FARMERS AND CONSUMERS?
Potential depends on how active the different parts of the ‘circle’ (i.e. school, parents, local community..) will be.
WHAT ARE THE MAIN OBSTACLES TO FOSTER THIS INITIATIVE?
The connection between the public and private sectors. Often schools do not have an interest or maybe enough employees to collaborate with local farmers. On the other hand, also farmers need to be prepared to share time, knowledge and their land.