On Thursday 10th April 2025, LIFE grace organized an informational meeting about the introduction of organic and km0 products in school canteens menus. The municipal representatives that took part in the event belong to the “Terre di Argil” LAG (Local Action Group), which promoted the meeting with LIFE Grace partner ARSIAL.
Claudio Di Giovannantonio, ARSIAL executive, and Miria Catta, school catering services expert, explained that integrating locally sourced products into school canteens menus can improve biodiversity conservation, boost the local economy and provide food and nutrition education for children and families. In LIFE Grace’s case, consuming grass-fed beef or sheep and goat meat contributes to the maintenance and restoration of grassland habitats inside the protected areas of Lazio. Our project’s proposal sees the introduction of a “Natura 2000” hamburger in school menus once a month, which could be an opportunity to educate children on these topics.
Miria Catta also highlighted that not only is the inclusion of organic and locally sourced food a part of the Minimum Environmental Criteria (MEC) that each school needs to follow, but that MASAF (Italian Ministry of Food and Agriculture) provides special funding for “organic” school canteens, to help reduce the costs.
Several attendees showed their interest towards the topics discussed, but uncertainties about which steps to take next also emerged. This is where ARSIAL’s supporting role comes into play, helping municipalities in the activation of “green” school canteens tenders and in accessing MASAF funding.
