Nordic Nutrition Conference 2012 Conditions for Healthy Food in German Universities Sigrid Michel Universitiy of Applied Sciences Dortmund Reykjavik, Hilton 3.06.2012
Methods Expertinterviews at their workplace were conducted with cooks in Mensa and cafeterias in Dortmund leader of the department of the Studentenwerk in Berlin Interviews held over the phone with representatives from National voluntary student association (fzs e.v) Students union executive committee, Dortmund (ASTA Uni Dortmund) The Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs of the Countries in the Federal Republic of Germany (KMK) Ministry of Innovation, Science and Research, North Rhine-Westphalia (MIWF NRW) German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk) Studentenwerke Dortmund, Magdeburg, 3
Methods Questionnaire submitted to DSW Internetresearch (Homepages of 20 local Studentenwerke in Germany) S. Michel NNC2012 4
The DSW The German National Association for Student Affairs (Deutsches Studentenwerk - DSW) is the umbrella organisation for the 58 local student service organisations (Studentenwerke - STW) in Germany. The Studentenwerke provide public services for the economic, social, medical and cultural support for students in German universities. They help to create a society based on equity. In cooperation with universities and the surrounding city administrations, the Studentenwerke improve the framework for higher education and aid in shaping university life. DSW plays an important role in helping Studentenwerke achieve theses goals. All of the different interest groups, including students, work together with the legal representatives of the local Studentenwerke in the decision making process. 5
The DSW: supports the interests of its members and carries their know-how into policy making on the federal and regional levels provides general support to local Studentenwerke (public law organization) examples of how support can be provided include seminars, conferences, - training manuals, publications and new and continuing professional development training engages in lobbying and advocacy efforts; develops collaborative relationships with institutions and organization which share the same goals carries out tasks within its mission from public administration, institutions and organization defends the interests of students at universities in social policy 6
Local student support organisations Finances I: Social service contribution from students: each Semester in Dortmund: 228 Semesterticket (whole NRW) 145 ASTA 15 Studentenwerk 68 Finances II grant by government Finances III Restaurant, Mensa 7
German Studentenwerke Facts and figures The 58 Studentenwerke care in Germany at 200 university towns (with about 300 Hochschulen) for about 2 mio. students, 400.000 employies and guests. 701 gastronomic facilities with 203.000 places exist. In 2006 was achieved a turnover of 313 Mio. 8
Dortmund: 25000 students, 2 universities 7 cafeterias 2 Mensa 1 Restaurant 5 locations in other towns 9
Studentenwerk Dortmund Berlin: 147000 students, 5 universities, 7 universities of applied sciences, 2 universities of arts, 26 private universities 30000 students eat daily in 50 facilities Mensa, coffeeshop, cafeteria, Menseria 10
Vision (if existing): Studentenwerke define themselves as customer orientated service organizations: Healthy Sustainable Social
Healthy food Most mensae are certified in various dimensions buy products of high quality, buy bio products if possible offer vegetarian and or vegan meal mark additives buy convenience products with low additives declare allergens offer vegetarian food cheaper than food with meat 12
Food Vegetarian, vegan, bio, certified, various one or two soups, one or two startes, 3 main courses Wide range of Diverse vegetables Brod offer of fruits and dsserts Pasta or Front Cooking area 13
Free flow areas Food counters Self service cafeterias But filling side dish in portions do not fit for everyone! (In Berlin students can choose)
Sustainability CO ² Footprint Power saving Food from the region Fair traded coffee Fair prices for eggs But: Students would not accept only cabbage and apples during winter season 20
nutrition habits If a mensa offers spare rips and french fries, students prefer this! (all interview partners) A man needs and eats meat (my 19 years old son) 21
Social dimension One main course daily 1 Euro, 1,30, 1,50 Free Meals for children of students Free meals for students in need Social inequity as in small location only meals with mixed financing are offered and remarkable more expensive. 22
Each Studentenwerk is a small kingdom/principality. (various interview partners)
Different social services and offers in different Studentenwerken Different prices indifferent in locations Different founding by government from year to year in one country and different grant given by federal countries 39.5 Mio in NRW 2012, about 580000 students 40000 from foreign countries 27
Disadvantages No best practice standards regarding to social, sustainable dimension No use of economical power Underestimated social inequality caused by different funding and different process for food in different locations Filling dishes are often not adequate for students, they have to pay for seconds Autor, weitere Informationen 28
Education Action days or weeks are organized annually Human Resource Management Cooks or leaders of small facilities are not informed about the goals in Dortmund
Studentenwerk Berlin is an exceptional positive example in various dimensions e.g. veggie mensa bio food education Certification human resource management
Who visits us can expect more than healthy, copious, and good value for money. Here you can relax between two lectures, make a date with friends, sit together relaxed with fellow students, go together for a coffee or a sun bath at the terrace. Here you plan your weekends, are joining working groups, on can relax.. Your faith in us makes us proud - but is also an incentive to become better from day to day. As we want to offer you more than only healthy food. Autor, weitere Informationen 32
Critical questions Should sweets be sold at the cash? Should alcohol should be sold on the campus? Should exclusive contracts exist for beverage with Coca Cola? Should fresh fruit and white cheese be transported by plane from Frankfurt to Dortmund? Why was the questionnaire not answered by the DSW? Should politician pay more attention to the basic conditions for students and not only on comparable degrees and content of studies in Europe?
Conclusion The importance of the nutrition in German universities is underestimated and even the representative organisations are not aware about economical power, influence on health on students and employees and education mission for the future leaders in society. 36
Thank you very much for your attention sigrid.michel@fh-dortmund.de