A Community Initiative to Prevent Food Waste in School Canteens: First Results of the “GINO! Let’s Play not to Waste food!” Project

Food waste (FW) is an urgent global problem related to environmental, economic, social, and ethical concerns. In Italian school cafeterias FW is particularly significant: the average FW is around 30%, but for some foods such as legumes, vegetables, and fish, well over half of the portion gets thrown away. School cafeterias are places for learning skills and behaviors that contribute to forming citizens who are aware and responsible in making food choices impacting on/affecting their well-being and that of the planet. Canteens are also places of expression of collective behaviors, different from individual ones. Finally, the choices made in the refectories and in the whole school food system leave an imprint the entire food chain. Therefore, the reduction of FW is a priority among the challenges for more just and sustainable local communities. A "community of interest" participates in the initiative which includes the whole school population (students, teachers, managers, and parents), the actors of the canteen system (municipality, catering companies, canteen commissions), researchers and associations that work on environmental education and FW. The theme of FW is tackled with an integrated approach, through three main intervention strategies: (a) citizen science activities to measure and reduce FW at different times during the school year; (b) technical support and advice for decision makers; and (c) education and learning activities aimed at creating awareness and a sense of responsibility among community members. The waste of some specific foods such as bread, fruit, breadsticks, crackers, fruit juices, and puddings is reduced thanks to the distribution of a food bag with which students can take leftovers home. The reduction of waste from all the other foods which cannot be taken home is encouraged through play and education activities. The project highlights the centrality of the school in the fight against FW:it is oriented towards the active participation of community members which allows to recognize the causes of the problem and determine a positive, systemic, and sustainable transformation. The deep involvement of the community, which has the opportunity not only to participate, but also to define and lead the activities, allows to develop the skills and confidence necessary to pursue the expected results. As participants gain confidence in the engagement process, they are driven to initiate change in the community themselves. Building trusting relationships with community members was the most important enabler for the success of the project, but funding and time constraints often hinder the trust building process. Following the latter, the two elements which we found most significant were the promotion of a shared sense of purpose around the cause of FW prevention, and the awareness that by working together and building capacity, community members can take action on addressing their common issues.