On Sept. 1, Geitmyra matkultursenter for barn (Food and Culture Center for Children) opened.  Geitmyra is an old farm in Norway’s capital city, Oslo, from the mid 18th century.  Norwegian Food writer and chef, Andreas Viestad, headed the project to open Geitmyra because he believes mat (food) should be an important part of every child’s daily life.  Viestad believes that children should not only learn about mat og kultur at home.   School curriculums should also incorporate activities that help to teach children about the importance of good and healthy food.  Geitmyra’s website states på norsk ´På Geitmyra gård skal vi bidra til at barn og unge blir glade i mat som gjør dem godt!´ ´At Geitmyra farm we will help children and young adults like food that is good for them!´

I remember Home Economics Class in Middle School.  In retrospect it was pretty lame.  At the time it was cool because it didn´t require much thought and more importantly, there was no homework involved.  We followed recipes to make several food items and we learned basic sewing techniques that we used to make pillows in the shape of animals.  The only food items that I can remember making are orange juliuses, muffins, and omelettes.  I´m sure we made more than that, but obviously the class didn´t have a huge impact on me.  We did learn how to read recipes and of course gained basic cooking skills, but the class was far from interesting.  Geitmyra seems like a place that I would have loved to attend as a child.

Similar to the U.S., in Norway, Mat og Helse (Food and Health) classes do not have the same education weight as science or literature classes.  School books for Mat og helse don´t even really exist.  Viestad acknowledged both of these facts and decided to do something about these two important topics in a child´s upbringing.

On the opening day Sept. 1, several important guests were in attendance: Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk, Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs Lisbeth Berg-Hansen and head of Education Agency of Oslo Torger Ødegaard. However, the main guests were pre-school children entertaining with song and school children cooking the centre’s first dishes from of organic home grown vegetables and fresh fish.

I highly suggest exploring the Geitmyra website.  There is a fantastic blog with oppskrifter (recipes) and more pictures.  There is also a meny (menu) of courses, all of which look extremely interesting.  I want to attend this school!  Children learn about the senses of taste and smell.  They learn about what a sweet ingredient does to a dish or why citrus would be a good component to add.  They learn how to make their own ketchup and margarine, as well as more complicated dishes.  Go Andreas Viestad and the sponsors of Geitmyra!

See article in Aftenposten here!