100% vegetable meals are arriving in school canteens in Rimini. The Municipality has in fact decided to introduce two days a month with completely vegan menus, an initiative that aims to promote a more sustainable, healthy and animal-friendly diet.
The innovation concerns schools in the municipal area and is part of a broader path of food education and environmental awareness promoted by the administration. The vegetable menu days will continue on a bimonthly basis until the end of the school year.
According to the deputy mayor and school councilor Chiara Bellini, the introduction of the vegetable menu represents an important step in rethinking school catering in a more sustainable way.
The introduction of the plant-based menu represents an important step in the work we are carrying out to promote healthy, sustainable and accessible lifestyles. It is a project that combines education, health and attention to the environment.
The initiative was developed in collaboration with LAV and Elior Ristorazione, and is also part of the “Challenge Green”, with which the animal rights association invites Italian municipalities to expand the offer of vegetable dishes in collective catering.
The objective is to encourage a transition towards a more sustainable food system, reducing the environmental impact and animal exploitation linked to the production of foods of animal origin.
According to Domiziana Illengo, head of the Vegan Food Area of LAV, the choice of the Municipality of Rimini also takes on a symbolic value, especially in a region like Emilia-Romagna, historically closely linked to livestock farming.
It is a significant achievement, because it comes to a region with a strong tradition of animal products. This decision represents an important step towards a more just food system for the climate, public health and animal rights.
The introduction of plant-based meals, adds Illengo, also allows girls and boys to discover new flavors and a healthy and tasty way of eating without causing suffering to animals.
Rimini thus joins other Italian cities that have already undertaken similar initiatives, such as Bergamo, Verona and Rome, where vegetable menus have been introduced in school catering.
Nutrition education even at school
The initiative will also be accompanied by information materials and educational activities prepared by Elior Ristorazione, with the aim of making the little ones aware of the variety and richness of vegetable cuisine.
The choice to start with two days a month represents a first step for the Municipality towards a more sustainable catering model. In the future, the frequency of vegetable menus could be increased, also based on the satisfaction expressed by families and students.
A small change in school menus which, in the intentions of the promoters, could contribute to spreading a more conscious, sustainable and planet-friendly food culture.
