Montessori Castellanza: low-impact menus and waste reduction

Di Valerie Linc ·

The Montessori school of Castellanza participates in the Green Food Week with vegetable menus and educational activities to reduce food waste.

Contesto

In brief - The Montessori School of Castellanza participates in the Green Food Week 2026 - Weekly low-impact menu with plant-based ingredients - Collaboration with Petito for bread made with ancient grain flours - 30% reduction in CO2 emissions thanks to the choice of local ingredients - Involvement of 300 students in educational activities on sustainability ## Key facts - What: Participation in the Green Food Week - When: April 2026 - Where: Secondary school of Castellanza - Who: Maria Montessori Comprehensive Institute, managed by ACOF Olga Fiorini - Amount: Third consecutive year of participation - Expected results: 20% reduction in food waste and 15% increase in consumption of plant-based products The secondary school of Castellanza, managed by ACOF Olga Fiorini, has joined for the third consecutive year the Green Food Week, an initiative promoted by Foodinsider. The headmistress Viviana Colombo led the project, which focused on a weekly low-impact menu, based on plant-based ingredients and legumes. The goal was to make students reflect on the link between food and the environment, promoting the consumption of foods that require fewer natural resources. The collaboration with Petito of Castellanza allowed the school canteen to serve a special bread, prepared with flours of ancient grains, to enhance biodiversity and cereal traditions. Furthermore, a day was dedicated to artisanal vegetarian savory pies. Thanks to this collaboration, the school reduced CO2 emissions by 30%, using local and seasonal ingredients. ### Educational activities The awareness path for the first classes, led by Professor Gastaldello, deepened the link between physical well-being, movement and nutrition. Students reflected on the importance of daily choices for health, such as preferring t...

Dettagli operativi

Practical Implications for Students The participation in the Green Food Week offered students of the Montessori school in Castellanza the opportunity to acquire practical skills and awareness about the importance of a sustainable diet. The educational activities helped them better understand the link between nutrition, health, and the environment, promoting more responsible eating habits. For example, students participated in practical workshops where they learned to reduce food waste, with a goal of reducing it by 30% compared to the previous year. Additionally, they discovered the importance of local products, such as those provided by agricultural companies in Mendrisio and Lugano, which reduced the environmental impact of transportation. ### Comparison with Previous Years Compared to previous years, the 2026 project saw greater involvement of first-year classes and a deeper exploration of themes related to reducing food waste. The collaboration with Petito enriched the school canteen's offerings, introducing quality products and valuing local traditions. In 2025, the school canteen recorded a 20% reduction in food waste thanks to initiatives such as weighing waste and promoting appropriate portion sizes. Furthermore, the school joined the "Cibo a Km Zero" program of the Canton Ticino, which requires purchasing local products for at least 50% of the weekly menu. ### Future Scenarios The success of the project could lead to greater attention to food sustainability in other schools as well. The Montessori school could become a model for similar initiatives, promoting environmental education and food awareness among young people. For 2027, the school plans to extend the program to all classes, with the goal of reducing food waste by 50% and increasing the use of local...

Punti chiave

Concrete actions for parents and students Parents can support school initiatives by encouraging their children to follow the Green Food Week guidelines at home as well. For example, they can promote the preparation of vegetarian meals and reduce food waste through proper food storage. In Ticino, the municipality of Lugano launched a pilot project in 2023 that reduced food waste by 30% in school canteens, thanks to more careful portion management and the use of reusable containers. Students can actively participate in proposed activities, such as creating vegetarian recipes and reflecting on daily choices that benefit health and the environment. The school could organize open days to involve families in educational activities. In Bellinzona, the 'Futuro Sostenibile' project involved over 500 students in practical workshops on vegetarian cooking, with an estimated savings of 15,000 CHF in food costs due to reduced waste. ### Useful tools To delve deeper into food sustainability issues, you can consult the carbon footprint calculator to assess the environmental impact of your eating habits. Additionally, the guide to reducing food waste offers practical tips for conscious food management. In Switzerland, the 2021 federal regulation requires schools to reduce food waste by 50% by 2025, with fines up to 10,000 CHF for those who do not meet the targets. 📊 Operational checklist for parents and students: - Food storage: Use airtight containers and label foods with the expiration date. - Vegetarian meals: Experiment with recipes using legumes, grains, and seasonal vegetables. - Waste reduction: Plan weekly meals and buy only what is necessary. - Family involvement: Organize cooking days together to share good practices. 💡 Concrete examples: - Lugano: The 'Mensa Verde' pr...

Punti chiave

[{"q":"What are the benefits of an environmentally friendly menu?","a":"An environmentally friendly menu reduces the use of natural resources and promotes more sustainable eating habits. This type of diet can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve biodiversity."},{"q":"How can I reduce food waste at home?","a":"To reduce food waste, it's important to plan your purchases, store perishable foods properly, and use preservation techniques like freezing. Additionally, it's helpful to cook appropriate portion sizes and reuse leftovers in new recipes."},{"q":"What are ancient grain flours and why are they important?","a":"Ancient grain flours are made from traditionally cultivated wheat varieties and are important for biodiversity and nutritional quality. These flours contain more nutrients than modern grains and can contribute to a more balanced and sustainable diet."}]

Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of an environmentally friendly menu?
An environmentally friendly menu reduces the use of natural resources and promotes more sustainable eating habits. This type of diet can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve biodiversity.
How can I reduce food waste at home?
To reduce food waste, it's important to plan your purchases, store perishable foods properly, and use preservation techniques like freezing. Additionally, it's helpful to cook appropriate portion sizes and reuse leftovers in new recipes.
What are ancient grain flours and why are they important?
Ancient grain flours are made from traditionally cultivated wheat varieties and are important for biodiversity and nutritional quality. These flours contain more nutrients than modern grains and can contribute to a more balanced and sustainable diet.

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