Freshness, organic quality and regionality in focus – Anniversary celebration at the North Vocational School Centre
Darmstadt. For ten years, the Community Catering of the Municipal Authority for Municipal Tasks and Services (EAD) healthy meals in daycare centers and schools in the Science City of Darmstadt. The anniversary was celebrated on Saturday, October 25, 2025 , with a party in the cafeteria of the North Vocational School Center .
Visitors were able to take a look behind the scenes to see how the EAD kitchens prepare several thousand meals every day. Information booths from suppliers and project partners, presentations on healthy nutrition, and hands-on activities like pumpkin carving made the day an experience for all ages.
Balanced nutrition as a municipal task
"Over the past ten years, the EAD's communal catering has become an integral part of the daycare and school routine for many children and young people. With a focus on freshness, organic quality, and regionality, the employees contribute daily to a balanced diet for the children," explained City Treasurer André Schellenberg .
School Director Holger Klötzner also praised the department's work: "The EAD supplies three daycare centers and 23 schools in Darmstadt every day. Eating a nutritious meal together not only promotes well-being, but also improves concentration and strengthens social interaction."
From a small start-up project to an established supply structure
The success story began in 2015 , when the EAD first took over lunch catering for Darmstadt's educational institutions. What began with eleven institutions and around 700 meals per day has now grown into a nationwide offering with eight production kitchens and around 3,000 lunches daily .
From the very beginning, the department was supported by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) , which assisted in menu planning. Today, the EAD places particular emphasis on regional, seasonal, and organic ingredients Competence Center for Out-of-Home Catering for its responsible handling of food .
With its commitment, EAD Community Catering demonstrates how community food provision can be sustainable, resource-efficient, and child-friendly – a model that extends far beyond Darmstadt.
(Darmstadt - Red/PSD/Stip)
