Parental opinions and willingness to pay for organic school meals in Tartu

The growing interest in organic food has sparked discussions about its role in school nutrition. As parents seek healthier options for their children, understanding their views on organic food is essential. This study explored the attitudes of parents of schoolchildren in Tartu toward organic food, particularly in school meals, and their willingness to pay extra for it. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 483 parents (average age: 42.35; ♀=429, 88.82%) using an online questionnaire. Of the respondents, 34.57% identified as regular organic food consumers (OFR). OFR showed more positive attitudes and greater willingness to pay for organic school meals than non-regular consumers (OFN). Overall, 47.41% agreed that organic products are healthier, with significantly more OFR than OFN sharing this view (71.86% vs. 34.49%; p < 0.001). Economic factors strongly influenced purchasing decisions, with higher-income parents more likely to support organic options. Despite differences, both OFR and OFN prioritized variety, nutrition, and taste over whether food was organic. These findings highlight the need for future research on the nutritional differences betweenorganic and non-organic school meals to guide policy and improve school food quality.