New project wants to make school meals part of transition to sustainable diet

The EU-funded “SchoolFood4Change” (SF4C) project aims to shift school meals and schools into a new paradigm of systemic change towards sustainable diets. By focusing on children, our future, and strong trust in youth action competence, SF4C strives for a long-lasting impact on the food system that will benefit people and the planet.

Schools can play a pivotal role in a food transition
Schools and education are important means to foster the transition towards sustainable and healthy diets. However, increasing the availability of healthy food is not enough. Systemic solutions to challenges around food and school food need to be accompanied by a food culture environment supporting all actors along the food system chain – including pupils, families, farmers, procurers, public authorities, and policymakers.

SF4C wants to impact 3,000 schools, 600,000 young people & 2 million citizens
SF4C follows a holistic multi-level approach and brings together expertise of established European organisations and networks, sustainable food procurement, nutrition specialists, scientists, and chefs. Started in January 2022, the SF4C consortium counts 43 partners and has the ambitious target of reaching at least two million EU citizens, impacting over 3,000 schools and 600,000 young people across 12 European countries.

Over the course of the next four years, project activities will involve developing innovative and sustainable food procurement, promoting Planetary Health Diets and cooking, and introducing the “Whole School Food Approach”. The project’s results and outcomes will contribute to the implementation of the Farm to Fork Strategy.

SF4C will launch its website in June 2022. In the meantime, those interested can contact [email protected], Project Coordinator at Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) for further information or questions.