INVESTIGATING FACTORS OF CHILDREN'S SHIFT TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE FOOD CONSUMPTION

Abstract

The consumption of food and related processes, including production, transport, storage, and disposal, significantly contribute to environmental issues. Sustainable eating habits and nutrition can mitigate the negative impact of animal-based foods, resource-intensive products, highly processed items, and those transported over long distances. The EU Fruit, Vegetable, and Milk School Scheme aims to shift children's eating habits towards more sustainable choices. Based on data from EU Member States spanning the school years 2017/2018 to 2020/2021, we assessed the effects of various Accompanying Educational Measures, their themes, communication activities, and the Covid-19 pandemic on children's average fruit and vegetable consumption at primary schools. The results of our panel data models indicated that educational activities focusing on Healthy eating habits and Dedicated websites as communication channels had a significantly positive effect on children's average consumption of fruits and vegetables within the EU School scheme. Interestingly, the Covid-19 pandemic had an insignificant impact on children’s average fruit and vegetable consumption at primary schools. Furthermore, we found no significant difference in fruit and vegetable consumption between children in western and eastern EU Member States. Identifying the School Scheme educational activities, themes and communication channels with a significant effect, policymakers can better tailor and support future initiatives aimed at encouraging children to make healthy and sustainable food choices.