Program 2026

Valuing Food: Rome’s School Canteens as a Model of Best Practice

It is not just a service: the school canteen is a public policy that has a daily impact on health, the economy and the environment.

The case of Rome represents one of the most significant examples of public food procurement at national and European level. With around 150,000 meals served daily, the service has a significant impact on all three pillars of sustainability: social, economic and environmental.

On a social level, it helps combat food poverty, promotes inclusion and fosters food education initiatives. From an economic perspective, the procurement system activates and guides a production chain with tangible benefits for the local area. On the environmental front, the extensive use of organic, PDO and PGI products supports more sustainable and high-quality agricultural models.

The conference presents the initial findings of an innovative study that provides an integrated analysis of the impacts of school catering in Rome, offering a systemic overview of the value generated by the service. Building on this case study, the meeting opens a discussion on methods for assessing the impact of school canteens, with the aim of strengthening the role of public food procurement as a strategic lever for sustainable, inclusive and quality-oriented food policies.

INTERVENGONO

Lidia Orlandi
CURSA, Comitans Foundation

Raffaella Milano
Save the Children

Edoardo Zanchin
Director of the Climate Office of the City of Rome

Giorgia Balducci
Fondazione Ecosistemi

MODERATOR

Davide Marino
CURSA, University of Molise