The new school year started in Albufeira with the implementation of the first edition of the “Sustainable Plate” program, a new project in the area of food sustainability, which is being «a success».
The program aims to «promote healthy and sustainable eating habits, with a view to reducing the ecological footprint» and results from a protocol signed between the Municipality of Albufeira and the Portuguese Vegetarian Association that is being developed in pre-school education establishments. school and 1st cycle schools in the municipality.
One day a week, a plant-based meal is prepared for all students who frequent the school canteens managed by the municipality, where pulses are the main source of protein.
In a note, the municipality explains that "in order for the initiative to be well understood and accepted by all those involved in the process, the program includes practical training actions for the cooks responsible for the preparation of plant-based meals", as well as workshops for parents and guardians, where children can also participate.
The training actions carried out on the 15th and 16th of September had the participation of 53 cooks, who prepared some of the dishes that are available in the canteens on the day of the sustainable dish.
“The enthusiasm and interest of the participants was very evident”, says José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, who also underlines that “the realization of these actions to train the cooks are an asset for the improvement of meals
served to our students».
More than two dozen were also parents and guardians who exchanged the usual Saturday program, with the family and
friends, on the 17th and 24th of September, to participate in a workshop, where they learned how to make hamburgers and bean meatballs with seasonal vegetables roasted in the oven and banana and oatmeal cookies, ideal for dessert or as a snack.
Thus, adults and children will learn about the advantages of consuming plant-based foods, the best way to cook them.
José Carlos Rolo emphasizes that «currently, the Portuguese consume four times more meat than is recommended, so it is important to change the eating habits of families. Hence the importance of providing plant-based meals in our schools, a program that needs to be complemented with the awareness of parents and educators, so that the work carried out in schools can continue at home».
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