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Freshness, organic quality and regionality in focus – anniversary celebration at the vocational school center North
Darmstadt. For ten years, the catering of the municipal services and public works department (EAD) providing healthy meals in daycare centers and schools in the 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 given a behind-the-scenes look at how the EAD kitchens prepare several thousand meals daily. Information booths from suppliers and project partners, presentations on healthy eating, and hands-on activities like pumpkin carving made the day an enjoyable experience for all ages.
Balanced nutrition as a municipal responsibility
"Over the past ten years, the EAD's catering services have become an integral part of the daily routine of many children and young people in daycare and school. With a focus on freshness, organic quality and regionality, the employees contribute daily to a balanced diet for the next generation," explained City Treasurer André Schellenberg .
School superintendent Holger Klötzner also praised the department's work: "The EAD supplies three daycare centers and 23 schools in Darmstadt every day. Sharing a nutritious meal not only promotes well-being but also concentration and strengthens social interaction."
From a small start-up project to an established supply structure
The success story began in 2015 when EAD first took over the provision of lunches for educational institutions in Darmstadt. What started with eleven institutions and around 700 meals per day has now grown into a comprehensive service with eight production kitchens and around 3,000 lunches daily .
From the outset, the department was supported by the German Nutrition Society (DGE) , which assisted with menu planning. Today, the EAD places particular emphasis on regional, seasonal, and organic ingredients "Out-of-Home Catering" competence center for its responsible handling of food .
With its commitment, EAD-Gemeinschaftsverpfalz demonstrates how municipal food supply can be designed sustainably, resource-efficiently and in a child-friendly manner – a model far beyond Darmstadt.
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
