Project
In March 2018, the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region approved the new high school catering policy which was inspired by the “Manger Autrement au Lycée” agreement signed in 2014. This policy also took the cue from the Regional Parliament of Youth held in 2018, the National Health and Nutrition Plan, new laws related to food and fight against food waste. This policy is expected to enter into force in 180 high schools thanks to several different actors, such as local authorities and associations, who are contributing to the final outcome.
There are six workstreams related to this policy:
- Nutritional balance: National Health and Nutrition Plan based on the recommendations of the GEMRCN (Working group on Catering markets and Nutrition);
- Food quality and health: awareness on allergens;
- Sustainable and responsible sourcing: work on product labelling, including 50% products from regional agriculture and 20% from organic farming;
- Food safety: team training;
- Food waste reduction and recovery of organic waste: awareness on food waste reduction in high schools, debates on territorial solutions for the recovery of bio-waste;
- Quality of service and hospitality.
Context
The south region has historically shifted its agenda into a more sustainable food one by adding food as a priority in regional public high schools: out of 181 public high schools in the region, 145 ones already have a catering service (preparation of meals on site by a kitchen team). For many years, the region has been trying to achieve the sustainable development goals (through their project “A COP in advance”), particularly through its catering services. But, the food waste in high schools accounts for about 26%.
Thus, "the need to update the regional policy of high school students' diet with regard to new regulations and societal changes", did not completely succeeded, Aurore Leroux says, the one in charge of the project in the region.
Find the law "a Cop in advance" in detail here.
Project leaders
This policy was drafted by the Department of High Schools in the Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, more particularly by the “Life” Service of schools, whose Catering Unit (2 facilitators, 5 technical and culinary advisers), is in charge of implementing it.
Implementation: On the territory, several actions co-exist. The food policy has been first tested on several voluntary high schools by actions on food waste, training courses on sustainable, responsible catering services, etc.
Means: To the success of this project, various budgets sources, partnerships and catering units need to be taken into account.
Results
Specific work on food waste and recovery of organic waste:
- Sustainable catering services: Providing support to 11 high schools towards a Sustainable and Responsible Catering Service;
- Food waste: Organizations working on food waste assessments (methodology development);
- Enhancement of organic waste: identification of organic waste recovery solutions (identification, visit of platforms, work with partners, development of maps for high schools), pre-feasibility study of a shared composting platform project in agricultural high school.
The results are difficult to quantify at the moment, as it is difficult to extend this policy to all schools. From late 2019 to 2020, new experiments and partnerships are expected to take place which might cause a stall into the actualization process of the project.
If someone wants to learn from your initiative to spread sustainable practices, what are the tips to start with and avoid some pitfalls?
It is important to "well define the needs and means necessary for the political objectives"
Aurore Leroux working for the Region.
The Little Extra
A pre-feasibility study of a shared composting platform project was carried out by a trainee in 2018. This initiative might be actualized by the end of 2020. If so, the waste in the high schools of the zone of Aix-Gardanne might be treated and reused at the school farm.
Written by Clara Santini, LFC volunteer - January 2019
Last modification : 30 Mar 2020.
Sud Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region
The Provence-Alpes-Côte-d'Azur Region has made the climate emergency its priority. In 2017, it launched a major Climate Plan made of 100 concrete actions. Objective: to encourage new forms of mobility, massively develop renewable energies, support companies wishing to act for the planet, preserve our natural heritage while improving the well-being of the inhabitants.