Pilotaction 10: Reduce food waste in schools in the Czech Republic
As part of the STREFOWA project, Glopolis conducted a pilot action in 12 primary
schools in the Czech Republic to address food waste in school canteens. It was run in
2 parallel lines: 1) educational activities with children, 2) cooperation with school
canteen (define recommendations and test them to find best practices).
schools in the Czech Republic to address food waste in school canteens. It was run in
2 parallel lines: 1) educational activities with children, 2) cooperation with school
canteen (define recommendations and test them to find best practices).
|
|
|
|
How to increase children capability make a
positive change in food waste?
In the second half of 2018, Glopolis focused on intensive collaboration with twelve schools
across the Czech Republic in an effort to promote education and active engagement in the
theme of food waste.
Glopolis created 2 packages of educational lessons (in two mutations: for younger and
older pupils) containing 6 thematic lessons concerning food waste topic, info brochure with
the basic informative background for teachers and 3 animated videos. All outcomes are
attached below.
across the Czech Republic in an effort to promote education and active engagement in the
theme of food waste.
Glopolis created 2 packages of educational lessons (in two mutations: for younger and
older pupils) containing 6 thematic lessons concerning food waste topic, info brochure with
the basic informative background for teachers and 3 animated videos. All outcomes are
attached below.
At the same time, one class at the second level has established closer cooperation with the
aim of supporting the active involvement of the school (their students) themselves in solving
this problem in their daily school eating. For this purpose, the school canteen weighed food
waste produced each day for one month. This information was presented to the pupils.
There were run 12 classroom workshops where we moved from the global problem of
wasting food into the local environment by getting information on how wasteful it is in their
school canteen. Then the children were given a two-month project to find out exactly what
and where is wasted, and how they could affect it. The proposals for the solution were tested
by children themselves.
aim of supporting the active involvement of the school (their students) themselves in solving
this problem in their daily school eating. For this purpose, the school canteen weighed food
waste produced each day for one month. This information was presented to the pupils.
There were run 12 classroom workshops where we moved from the global problem of
wasting food into the local environment by getting information on how wasteful it is in their
school canteen. Then the children were given a two-month project to find out exactly what
and where is wasted, and how they could affect it. The proposals for the solution were tested
by children themselves.
Each of the participating classes developed an investigative project and the findings in the
form of a photo or video presentation. Among suggestions were e.g.:
- "talk with our parents at home, change the food according to what we want...!
Take the opportunity to change your meal thanks to validator at school." (in response
to the fact that they do not choose the food they want, although they have two
options)
- "Ekoteam in conjunction with the school canteen prepares food photos to help us
better orient ourselves in the future." (in response to the fact that, depending on how
the food looks, they find out they do not want it anymore).
- “When I am in rush, I will ask lunch overseer for an exception. I will take rather less
and when still some time left I can take more.“ ( in response to the frequent argument
that they do not have time)
form of a photo or video presentation. Among suggestions were e.g.:
- "talk with our parents at home, change the food according to what we want...!
Take the opportunity to change your meal thanks to validator at school." (in response
to the fact that they do not choose the food they want, although they have two
options)
- "Ekoteam in conjunction with the school canteen prepares food photos to help us
better orient ourselves in the future." (in response to the fact that, depending on how
the food looks, they find out they do not want it anymore).
- “When I am in rush, I will ask lunch overseer for an exception. I will take rather less
and when still some time left I can take more.“ ( in response to the frequent argument
that they do not have time)
Why and how is food wasted in school
canteens?
In 2017 Glopolis began detailed research at selected primary schools to discover the origins
and reasons for food waste in school canteens. The research was divided into three parts:
and reasons for food waste in school canteens. The research was divided into three parts:
- Questionnaires for teachers and pupils who eat in the school canteen.
- An in-depth discussion with representatives of pupils, teachers and canteen staff. The whole process of eating, the preferences and the problems they face were explored. A professional presenter from the research centre led a discussion to create the most pleasant atmosphere so that children can express their opinions without fear.
- Weighing of the food leftovers in school canteen for at least 1 month. The result of the research is a complete picture of the problem of food waste at selected schools and recommendations on how to work with the results. It is not just a statement of the situation but above all a proposal for possible solutions.
These recommandations were extracted from the research to reduce the food waste in schools
1. Communicate – Not only with children but especially with parents. If a child brings a big snack and eats it right before the lunch, we can not expect from them to be hungry and so the prepaid meal is wasted.
2. Watch the school buffet - It is important for the buffet to be complementary, it should not replace a function of lunch.
3. Customize portions – Smaller portions with the option to add are a good prevention.
4. Soup Voluntary – When ordering lunch, there could be an option for child or parents to not order the soup. This could reduce the canteen costs too.
5. Personal contact – A person who passes the lunch to children is fundamental. If they are afraid or are not comfortable in the canteen environment, the food waste factor is increased.
6. Hurry and Noise Factor – Stressful and noisy environment has a negative effect on the eating of children and adults. They do not enjoy the food and therefore they have a tendency to return the meal.
7. Create a story – Thematic days /weeks are proven to be a fun way of eating. Children and adults have the opportunity to explore other types of food and culture. They will be more involved in the eating experience and motivated if they know beforehand that there is an interesting change in the menu.
2. Watch the school buffet - It is important for the buffet to be complementary, it should not replace a function of lunch.
3. Customize portions – Smaller portions with the option to add are a good prevention.
4. Soup Voluntary – When ordering lunch, there could be an option for child or parents to not order the soup. This could reduce the canteen costs too.
5. Personal contact – A person who passes the lunch to children is fundamental. If they are afraid or are not comfortable in the canteen environment, the food waste factor is increased.
6. Hurry and Noise Factor – Stressful and noisy environment has a negative effect on the eating of children and adults. They do not enjoy the food and therefore they have a tendency to return the meal.
7. Create a story – Thematic days /weeks are proven to be a fun way of eating. Children and adults have the opportunity to explore other types of food and culture. They will be more involved in the eating experience and motivated if they know beforehand that there is an interesting change in the menu.
Special thanks to the participating schools
- Primary School Navis
- Primary School Jílové u Prahy
- Primary School Zbiroh
- Primary School Vojanova Děčín
- Primary School Pečky
