I.Metshin: “Variety of goods in stores does not amount to healthy nutrition”

Providing children healthy nutrition and teaching them a proper eating behavior remain a priority in the work of the city authorities, said Ilsur Metshin, the Mayor of Kazan, at the Business Monday meeting, summing up the results of the International Forum “Healthy Cities. Healthy nutrition for children”.

Together with parents and teachers, it is important to promote the principles of healthy nutrition for children

“We have been doing this work for a long time. Kazan was chosen as the site for the forum not only because we are able to hold various international events. This is a homage for the great work done in Kazan for 15 years under the city project “Healthy Nutrition for Children”, - said the Mayor.

The issue of eating behavior of children and adults in Russia is brand new, noted Ilsur Metshin. “This matter is not quite familiar to us. We talk about healthy nutrition, but we are just beginning to discuss the proper eating behavior of children, - he said. – A whole generation of Russians, residents of the former Soviet Union, did not starve, but had a limited food basket. Therefore, it is necessary to relearn children now and this is our task-to explain, to show that variety of goods in stores does not amount to healthy nutrition.”

Ilsur Metshin added that in Kazan, good results were achieved in the development of infrastructure for school meals, and this work will continue.

“School picnic” with famous bloggers and tasting dishes

On the first day of the forum, the city family holiday School Picnic was held on the square near the Palace of Farmers, dedicated to the Children's Day and the 15th anniversary of the city program “Healthy Nutrition for Children”. Over 3,500 adults and children attended it.

The lectures of well-known experts in children nutrition were presented to the visitors.

2,700 experts took part in the business program of the forum

On June 2, the official opening of the International Forum “Healthy Cities. Healthy nutrition for children” took place at the Kazan City Hall, and a business program was launched.

The main event was a round table of mayors of cities, where the best catering practices were presented. Ilsur Metshin shared the experience of Kazan with colleagues from other cities and countries.

On the final day of the forum, a round table “We create a delicious childhood” was held in Kazan for school food operators in Russia.

The forum was organized by the Kazan Mayor’s Office together with the Tatarstan Ministry of Health, the “Healthy Cities, Districts and Towns” Association, the “Department of Food and Social Nutrition of Kazan” and was supported by the World Health Organization, as well as the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact.

On the eve of the forum, Kazan headed the steering committee of the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, which was adopted by more than 200 cities worldwide.