From Home Kitchens to School Canteens in Pandemic Italy: Bridging Family Food Habits and School Meals in the Sign of Sustainable Food Policies

The study examines the relationship between the eating habits of the families of children attending primary school and the appreciation of the meals served in school canteens during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. The analysis focuses on the disruptive effects of the lockdowns imposed from March 2020 onwards to contain the spread of the virus. Restrictions to mobility had an impact on family routines, changing eating habits, meal schedules, and food preparation. The extended time spent at home, combined with distance learning and the closure of school canteens, had a lasting impact on children, particularly on their attitudes toward food and their appreciation of school meals after reopening. Through qualitative and quantitative research into the eating habits of 592 families of 1092 pupils attending primary schools in different regions of Italy during the pandemic, this study highlights the influence of adult eating habits on children’s appreciation of food and allows critical insights into the sustainable school food policies implemented at the time. The findings provide a basis for advocating an alliance between schools and families to promote food education and address deficiencies in collective catering policies, which may hold strategic potential, especially during the ecological transition.