Healthy eating as part of holistic education
Against the backdrop of current discussions on child and youth health as well as the upcoming expansion of all-day care at primary schools, the city of Hof presents its activities in the area of school catering in detail. The aim is not only to cover short-term needs, but also to support children in Hof in their development in the long term.
Mayor Eva Döhla: "The healthy nutrition of children is an important issue - but it is not isolated. We always think about education, exercise and health together. That's why we not only focus on school catering, but also on a diverse sports landscape, early prevention and socio-spatial support. What counts is the interaction."
Dr Burkhard Baier, Head of the Schools, Youth, Social Affairs, Sport division: "We want to reach as many children as possible, but without patronising them. Those who eat should come out of the break feeling full, satisfied and motivated - and this can only be achieved if the quality, availability and acceptance of the offer are right. At the same time, it is clear that only a joint effort by parents, schools, organisations and local authorities can create viable solutions."
This press release is linked to the CSU press release "Thinking health, education and social responsibility together" from 29 June 2025. Dr Burkhard Baier refers to the variety of existing support services and the structural framework conditions. The organisation of catering at primary schools is legally the responsibility of the respective school authorities - including independent providers. The city of Hof supports supplementary measures, particularly in the area of child daycare and via the education and participation package. Every year, it covers around 700,000 euros in costs for lunchtime catering in various facilities. The quality standards are set by the respective organisations. As a rule, the caterers follow the recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Compliance is monitored on a decentralised basis. Additional services such as vending machines or kiosks are regulated individually.
As part of the legal entitlement to all-day care from 2026, work is being done to further develop the infrastructure. New buildings such as the Rosenbühl school centre and the Christian Wolfrum primary school take into account the requirements of modern lunchtime catering. The administration is also in regular dialogue with the Hofer Land Plus health region. In future, the city of Hof will continue to develop its support services and work together with all stakeholders to find viable solutions - pragmatically, socially and with a view to the long-term health of children.
For the city of Hof, health does not end at the edge of the plate - it begins with early childhood development and continues with exercise programmes right through to old age. With around 50 sports clubs, 87 types of sport on offer and around 12,000 active members, Hof offers a wide range of opportunities for physical activity. Every year, over 31,000 hours of training are provided by sports instructors - a strong foundation for an active urban society. To ensure this diversity, the city invests in modern infrastructure: from the new sports facility at the Rosenbühl school centre to the third construction phase at the ice pond and the planned renovation of the tartan track at the Ossecker Stadium. The network will be supplemented by a multi-sports area on Ossecker Straße, new football and streetball pitches and calisthenics facilities at several locations. These measures are embedded in a holistic social strategy that combines nutrition, exercise and participation - from early help for families with small children to customised offers for older people. After all, a healthy city is created where people find spaces for development, socialising and exercise, regardless of their age.