From October 20 to 23, 2025, representatives of the project “Solutions for Reducing Food Waste in School Canteens” (SchoolFood WasteSolutions)and school chefs from the Latgale and Tartu regions took part in a study visit to Karlstad, Sweden, to learn about Swedish practices in sustainable, child-friendly, and efficient school catering.

The purpose of the visit was to give participants a practical insight into how the catering system is organized, how food waste can be reduced, and how kitchen workflows can be improved.

Participants visited several schools in Karlstad, where they learned about buffet-style catering principles, methods of ensuring food quality, and systems for recording food waste. The chefs had the opportunity to observe and take part in daily school catering processes, seeing how theoretical principles are implemented in practice.

An important part of the visit was hands-on workshops, where chefs from the Latgale and Tartu regions worked alongside their Swedish colleagues in school kitchens – preparing student meals, using modern equipment, and sharing experiences on more efficient work methods.

Participants highlighted several key insights:

• Modern kitchen technologies help improve efficiency and reduce food waste;
• A well-thought-out lunch flow makes the catering process smoother for both children and kitchen staff;
• The Swedish approach to catering – a healthy, varied, and child-appealing buffet-style model;
• The importance of innovation – the openness and willingness of Swedish colleagues to improve inspire the search for new solutions in our own schools;
• International cooperation – shared learning and experience exchange strengthen the belief that sustainable catering is possible anywhere.

The study visit provided participants with new ideas and practical skills that they can apply to develop a healthier, more efficient, and more sustainable school catering system in Latvia and Estonia.

The SchoolFood WasteSolutions project continues to promote international cooperation and the introduction of innovations to ensure that students receive high-quality, balanced, and environmentally friendly meals while reducing food waste.

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.