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Education on food waste prevention in schools (Banco Scuola)
Published on 29 September 2018

Italy
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Banco Alimentare della Lombardia recover surplus from the food chain, but part of its mission is also the prevention of the food waste. Banco Alimentare has a program named "Banco Scuola" addressing students of every order and degree with the objective of increasing their awareness about the need to reduce food waste. We believe in the value of sharing the direct experience of Banco Alimentare of Lombardy that bring concreteness to the topic.
What is brought to the students is based on Banco Alimentare mission. The messages are modulated in accordance to the students age:
- Banco Alimentare activities,
- Understanding of the people who receive help
- What respect for food means.
We started from Primary schools because the children are still free from prejudices or established habits, they are willing to welcome these messages that in most cases are totally new to them. Through them we can also expect to increase the awareness in their families.
What is brought to the students is based on Banco Alimentare mission. The messages are modulated in accordance to the students age:
- Banco Alimentare activities,
- Understanding of the people who receive help
- What respect for food means.
We started from Primary schools because the children are still free from prejudices or established habits, they are willing to welcome these messages that in most cases are totally new to them. Through them we can also expect to increase the awareness in their families.
Expert opinion
Banco scuola is a good practice and a needed one. Awareness and behaviour change are best instilled at early age, at schools. the focus on primary schools and all other schools to educate the young about food waste avoidance is important. Banco scuola is relying on volunteers where the topic could also have been "tought" by the usual teachers and included in the curricula.
Relying on external volunteers is probably the first step and a faster fix than waiting for a reform of school books and teaching material, but it requires extra human resources.
The transferability is high, but can be seen in two areas: either only the teaching material could be used for inspiration, or the entire good practice including the volunteer approach can be replicated. Policy makers can encourage either way.
Relying on external volunteers is probably the first step and a faster fix than waiting for a reform of school books and teaching material, but it requires extra human resources.
The transferability is high, but can be seen in two areas: either only the teaching material could be used for inspiration, or the entire good practice including the volunteer approach can be replicated. Policy makers can encourage either way.
Works at
Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform
Resources needed
Volunteers with good communication skills
Content based on presentations and activities that can get the attention of the students, in particular the younger ones.
Printed materials
Content based on presentations and activities that can get the attention of the students, in particular the younger ones.
Printed materials
Evidence of success
In 6 years (from 2012 to 2018):
70.190 students of 542 different schools met
15 volunteers split in 6 Teams involved
70.190 students of 542 different schools met
15 volunteers split in 6 Teams involved
Potential for learning or transfer
1. Content of the training for the different age ranges:
- slide set,
- videos,
- scripts
2. Trainers organization and skill description
3. Agreements signed with the schools
- slide set,
- videos,
- scripts
2. Trainers organization and skill description
3. Agreements signed with the schools
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Banco Alimentare della Lombardia

Italy
Lombardia
Contact