Experience of organic food provision in schools – Maria Montessori Primary School in Rome

DSC_0419During our first study visit in Rome, we visited the Maria Montessori Primary School and representatives of Rome Municipality’s Educational and School Services Department (Office for food monitoring and control and Diet Office) provided information about organic food in schools. About 150000 meals are prepared in Rome per day and per meal, the municipality spends around 4.5-4.8 euros while the parents, depending on their income, around 2 euros. Most schools in Rome have kitchens (94%) and for the rest, the food is cooked in nearby buildings with the transport time being less than 15 minutes. Kitchens are managed by external companies with the use of tenders by the Rome municipality, with duration of 4 years. Besides the fact that children eat organic food, they are also informed about it through lectures and information sheets as well as through gardening and cooking. It is of note that Mr. Maurizio Sansuini, president of the CIMAS Ristorazione (food provider), expressed his support and interest towards our project and he is open for communication regarding the provision of organic food for the health study that is going to be conducted in Cyprus.