The Marginal Possibilities of Realizing Organic Production for School Establishments

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explore the possibility of increasing the sale of organic products through supplying schools and school canteens. Potential of this way of commercialization of organic production is assessed based on the survey on preschools and elementary schools and among parents of children attending the surveyed schools. The article is based on the local survey in the district of České Budějovice and additionally on the results of a national survey that have, however, omitted the region of South Bohemia. Only about one fifth of pre-schools and elementary schools have already experienced the involvement of organic food in the school meals preparation. Some of them are not interested in organic food but most of them fear the strong increase of the school meal’s price when using ingredients originated from organic farming. Most parents are interested in inclusion of organic food in the school meals but they also worry about the price. Model cases proved, however, that the increase of the price is not so dramatic, and the real increase of the price corresponds with most parents’ willingness to pay higher prices for meals with organic food content.