Netherlands mayors host annual healthy breakfasts for students

Across the Netherlands, mayors participated in the annual ‘Burgemeestersontbijt’ (Mayors' Breakfast) from October 6 to October 9, 2026. This initiative, organized by the National School Breakfast (Nationaal Schoolontbijt) as part of the ‘Week of Our Food’, aims to highlight the importance of a healthy start to the day for children.

During the events, local mayors met with primary school students to discuss nutrition, local food origins, and the functions of local government. In various municipalities, including Harlingen, Ommen, Winsum, and Middelharnis, the breakfasts featured products from local farmers and bakeries, such as fresh milk, whole grain bread, and seasonal fruits. These sessions provided students with hands-on learning opportunities, such as discovering how milk is produced or how to make butter, while also offering a low-threshold way to engage with democracy and civic life.