Hanseatic menu in crisis: three quarters of the jobs in Rostock cut!

Hanseatic menu in crisis: three quarters of the jobs in Rostock cut!

There is currently a lot going on in the area of ​​school catering in Rostock. The CJD Christophorus School has announced that it will end its collaboration with the provider Hanse-Menu. The reason for this step is numerous complaints about the quality of the food and dissatisfied employees. Steffen Kästner, the head of the school, informed parents one evening about the upcoming job cuts at Hanse-Menu, which could affect an estimated three quarters of the approximately 70 employees. The company, which has been in business since 1992, has faced significant challenges recently. This means that the CJD-Christophorus School, Hanse-Menu's largest customer, will be supplied from the beginning of November by the new food supplier Diversity Menu, a former top-flight food provider who emerged as the winner in a test meal.

For the approximately 1,700 students at the CJD-Christophorus School, the decision for a variety menu could not only result in a change in food delivery, but also an improvement in the quality of school meals. Studies show that healthy school meals are central to children's physical and mental development. According to the updated quality standards of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), a balanced and sustainable menu is essential to meet the needs of students. These standards, which were revised in 2023 in collaboration with experts, ensure that schools can implement health-promoting food offerings and thus support the prevention of diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Important changes

With more than 69 percent of students aged 6-17 having access to hot school meals in 2023, the need for healthy and tasty food in schools is obvious. The school catering networking centers, which have existed since 2008, promote cooperation between authorities, school authorities, teachers and parents. These efforts are directed not only at the quality of food, but also at improving the dining environment and atmosphere in schools, which has a positive impact on the social well-being of students. Studies also show that many children and young people consume too much meat and too little fruit and vegetables - a circumstance that contributes to obesity.

In the meantime, it remains to be seen how the situation at Hanse-Menu develops as the CJD-Christophorus School prepares to introduce its new partner, Diversity Menu. The termination agreement with Hanse-Menu is currently being negotiated and could have drastic consequences for many of the affected employees. At a time when the quality of school meals is crucial for the well-being and health of students, the CJD-Christophorus School's step is an important step towards better food supply.