At the LAMPA Conversation Festival 2025, Rita Ivanova, Senior Project Manager of the University of Daugavpils, presented the Interreg Central Baltic Programme’s 2021–2027 project SchoolFood WasteSolutions and inspired the audience with examples of how schools, municipalities and local farmers can work together to create healthier and more sustainable food systems.

Speaking alongside farmers and sustainability experts, Rita explained how the three-year project— – which started in April 2025 — aims to reduce food waste in schools, develop digital teaching tools for children about healthy eating and farming, and create recipe collections that enable school cooks to use locally grown ingredients.

She reported on a study trip to the Swedish municipality of Karlstad, where schools act as “school restaurants” and work closely with local farmers through innovative supply agreements. A great example is the direct collaboration between the school chef ambassadors and farmers to develop customised flour blends and packaging sizes to suit the schools’ needs — boosting both efficiency and the local economy.

Rita emphasised that such collaboration not only improves food quality and reduces waste, but also empowers rural communities and inspires young people to consider farming and the profession of school cook as a modern, innovative and viable career path.

The panellists also discussed how early farm visits, hands-on cooking experiences and the integration of local produce into school meals can change young people’s perceptions of farming and make it ‘trendy’ and attractive. Rita emphasised that collaboration between municipalities, schools and farmers is essential to embed these practises and ensure their long-term success.

You can watch the full discussion here:

🎥 Video recording: Watch on YouTube (pievienot saiti uz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WLElKkeQb8)

🎧 Audio recording: Available via the LAMPA Festival archive

Photos in the gallery by  Roberts Blaubuks (Blaubuks Photography)

This project is co-financed by the European Union. The Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021-2027 promotes cross-border cooperation to tackle common challenges and build a more sustainable, innovative and inclusive Central Baltic Sea Region. Website of the programme: https://centralbaltic.eu

 Official website of the European Union: www.europa.eu

Contact information:
Rita Ivanova
Daugavpils University
Senior Project Manager
e-mail: rita.ivanova@du.lv
tel. 29857838

This article has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. Daugavpils University is fully responsible for its content. It should in no way be regarded as an official position of the European Union.