Introducing Organic Food to Private Primary Schools in Bangkok

Abstract

The global food provision and consumption has been changed into more sustainable direction. The general patterns of change include an increasing consumer demand for safe and healthy food which is produced in an environmentally friendly way. The objectives of this study are to investigate current situation of primary school lunch and to evaluate feasibility in having organic lunch in school. Qualitative and quantitative research methodology was applied to study school and parents of primary school students. The study found that both providers (schools) and consumers (parents) are willing to change to more sustainable food. For providers, the school executives believe that changing to organic food will bring about better consequences to health and the environment. However, they are concerned about lack of organic food in terms of variety and quantity. For consumers, the parents have purchasing power and likely to accept organic food for their children. However, the parents need to receive more information about organic food and price difference. This study suggests two recommendations to introduce organic food to school. Firstly, the school must contract organic food suppliers near Bangkok to supply organic food to school once a week and use organic food to cook for student at least 2 days a week. Secondly, the school executives must set up farm visit activities with local supplier. Parents and students should visit the farm to learn about how foods are produced. Many counties worldwide supply local organic food to school and succeed in more sustainable food transition in school setting.