Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict

Biodistricts (also known as “organic districts” or “eco-regions”) are receiving increasing attention by scholars and public institutions. This interest is based largely on the biodistricts’ focus on linking organic agriculture with the socio-economic, cultural and ethical aspects of the areas in whi...

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Main Authors: Beatrice Kraljevic, Cesare Zanasi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-11-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1235871/full
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author Beatrice Kraljevic
Cesare Zanasi
author_facet Beatrice Kraljevic
Cesare Zanasi
author_sort Beatrice Kraljevic
collection DOAJ
description Biodistricts (also known as “organic districts” or “eco-regions”) are receiving increasing attention by scholars and public institutions. This interest is based largely on the biodistricts’ focus on linking organic agriculture with the socio-economic, cultural and ethical aspects of the areas in which they are located. Furthermore, these realities are in line with recent EU initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices, such as Green Public Procurement and others included in the Farm to Fork strategy. The rising awareness of sustainability, food safety and security within schools has made Public School Food Procurement (PSFP) one of the potential drivers supporting the biodistricts’ development. Despite its relevance, research on this topic is relatively scarce. The present study seeks to assess the drivers influencing the integration between biodistricts and organic PSFP. A theoretical and an analytical framework tool were developed to this end and applied to the Cilento Biodistrict, where organic PSFP is currently active. The research highlighted different drivers positively affecting the access of the Cilento Biodistrict to organic PSFP, mainly related to its collaborative nature and the interest in adopting more sustainable practices. However, characteristics of local organic production such as high prices and insufficient volumes negatively impact the relationship with organic public school canteens. Considering the relatively homogeneous characteristics of these realities, the study provides a reference framework for further research and policies supporting the relationship between organic school meals initiatives and biodistricts.
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spelling doaj.art-15538cf6e1074571b76acd2b8dce3d722023-11-13T11:20:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2023-11-01710.3389/fsufs.2023.12358711235871Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrictBeatrice Kraljevic0Cesare Zanasi1Department of Economics, Management and Statistics, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Agricultural and Food Sciences-DISTAL, University of Bologna, Bologna, ItalyBiodistricts (also known as “organic districts” or “eco-regions”) are receiving increasing attention by scholars and public institutions. This interest is based largely on the biodistricts’ focus on linking organic agriculture with the socio-economic, cultural and ethical aspects of the areas in which they are located. Furthermore, these realities are in line with recent EU initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable practices, such as Green Public Procurement and others included in the Farm to Fork strategy. The rising awareness of sustainability, food safety and security within schools has made Public School Food Procurement (PSFP) one of the potential drivers supporting the biodistricts’ development. Despite its relevance, research on this topic is relatively scarce. The present study seeks to assess the drivers influencing the integration between biodistricts and organic PSFP. A theoretical and an analytical framework tool were developed to this end and applied to the Cilento Biodistrict, where organic PSFP is currently active. The research highlighted different drivers positively affecting the access of the Cilento Biodistrict to organic PSFP, mainly related to its collaborative nature and the interest in adopting more sustainable practices. However, characteristics of local organic production such as high prices and insufficient volumes negatively impact the relationship with organic public school canteens. Considering the relatively homogeneous characteristics of these realities, the study provides a reference framework for further research and policies supporting the relationship between organic school meals initiatives and biodistricts.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1235871/fullschool food procurementgreen public procurementorganic foodbiodistrictschool canteenssupply chain management
spellingShingle Beatrice Kraljevic
Cesare Zanasi
Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
school food procurement
green public procurement
organic food
biodistrict
school canteens
supply chain management
title Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict
title_full Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict
title_fullStr Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict
title_full_unstemmed Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict
title_short Drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives: evidence from the Cilento biodistrict
title_sort drivers affecting the relation between biodistricts and school meals initiatives evidence from the cilento biodistrict
topic school food procurement
green public procurement
organic food
biodistrict
school canteens
supply chain management
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1235871/full
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