Page 3283 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 21 August 2019
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If people are able to eat good plant-based foods in most eating establishments in Canberra, I am sure that plant-based foods will become more mainstream. I have in mind a competition for low-carbon meals, which could be entered into by any food business in Canberra. It would have publicity and prestige as the major prizes, possibly some small amount of money.
Thirdly, there is our school system. I have asked questions about this and done quite a lot of internet research on the subject. I have to say that it is entirely unclear to me what our school students learn about food. What do they learn about food?
It is possible that school students who study the Australian curriculum subjects of health and wellbeing, which is kindergarten to year 6 and then food technology in years 7 to 10, already study the environmental, ethical and human health implication of food choices in an age-appropriate way. That is not what the answers to my questions clearly said. I doubt it, but it is possible that they meant it but did not bother saying it. Regardless, I would like to see more support for increased school food gardens and provision of kitchen space for preparation and education about food grown on site. Some schools have them and some do not.
I would like to see all school canteens be required to provide plant-based options for students. This is being done in some parts of California and some parts of Brazil. In many school districts across California they have already successfully introduced plant-based options to their students. When Oakland Unified School District added more plant-based meals, like veggie chow mein and garden burgers to its menus, the district reported it saved $40,000 and 42 million gallons of water over the course of two years. This is a worthy saving. Brazil, despite being a major beef producer, has areas where they are planning to serve entirely plant based foods at school.
Fourthly, there is our health system. We do have health promotion programs including healthier choices Canberra, healthier food and drink choices policy, ACT health promotion grants program, and healthy children and young people. But it is not at all clear that these include significant information about eating fewer animal products or any reference to environmental or animal welfare considerations.
I would like Canberra Health Services to change the default meal in hospitals to be plant based. That would mean that patients who do not choose a meal get a plant based one. I do acknowledge that they supply vegan meals. Once you get sufficiently into the system, it does happen. But I can speak from recent experience: you do have to get into the system; it does not always just happen.
Fifthly, I would like to see the government supporting food production not only at schools but also in the community. I am very pleased that we have recently announced the nature strip guidelines. I would love to see more veggies on our nature strips. We also have fruit production at Lyneham Commons and Weston.
Lastly, where people are in the custody of the ACT government, such as at Dhulwa, AMC and Bimberi, I would like to see the government increase the amount of plant-based foods on offer. In conjunction with that, support residents to learn how to
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