Schools and kindergartens to provide whole-grain rye bread; €300,000 allocated for the initiative

The program is designed for grades 1-9. Students are introduced to rye bread as a traditional, important, region-specific bread and its nutritional importance. During the project, children will be taught the taste and appearance of rye bread and encouraged to use it, and learn about its popularity among young people.

The rye bread scheme will be implemented in educational institutions, where rye bread will be distributed free of charge to students between September 1 and December 31 this year. State support allocated for the implementation of the scheme in 2024 is 300,000 euros.

During the publication of the plan, educational institutions should take measures to make children and young people aware of traditional rye bread as an important part of Latvian material and spiritual culture. It is also necessary to introduce the taste of rye bread and educate people about its value and importance in terms of nutrition and what makes rye bread a typical Latvian product.

As part of the plan, young people will also be surveyed to obtain data on the popularity of rye bread and their knowledge of the value of bread. It is expected that the project will reach at least 50% of the target audience, which is about 140,000 children and adolescents.

Associations or foundations that unite at least 10 bread producers and suppliers of bread ingredients can apply for state support for the implementation of a rye bread program; promote rye bread and its importance to the public for at least five years; represent the interests of the industry in state administration and other institutions; and develop or implement educational programs in cooperation with professional educational institutions to train young experts in professions related to bread production.

The Ministry of Education stressed that rye bread distributed to students at various events of the rye bread program must be produced in Latvia food Prepared with flounder and natural yeast in a company registered with the Veterinary Service and at least 80% of the total amount of flour used in its preparation must be rye flour. The bread must be in the form of clones and must meet the quality requirements applicable to school meals.

Support applicants must submit documents to the Rural Support Service, which manages the rye bread scheme, by August 21 this year. On the other hand, scheme implementers must submit a report on the measures they have implemented by December 31 this year.

ZM said that despite the fact that rye bread is a typical Latvian food and contains many valuable substances, including vitamins and minerals, there is a general decline in the consumption of bread in Latvia, including rye bread. “Rye bread can give a feeling of fullness, which is important for preschool and school-age children. Latvian society must renew and strengthen the tradition of using rye bread, promote its use from childhood and educate people on the importance of using rye bread,” ZM said.

The ministry reminded that for many years, Latvian educational institutions have been implementing a fruit, vegetable and milk supply program with support from the EU and co-financing from the state budget.

Minister of Agriculture Armandz Krause (ZZS) believes that in Latvia it is necessary to promote the recognition and consumption of rye bread as an important specialty of the region and a nutritious food from an early age. This would not only make the daily diet of young people healthier, but also enable local agricultural and food producers to sell their products on the domestic market.

“Introducing rye wholemeal bread to children and young people also provides an opportunity for them to choose and use the healthiest products in their daily lives. The rye bread program is a great addition to the already popular school supply program for fruit, vegetables, and milk,” Krauz said.