Italian's lifestyle is demanding more water then ever. Population has
risen to 60 milion, and our dietary patterns have little to do with the
widely publicised Mediterranean diet. As the consumption of animal
protein rises, water basins are emptied, and the country is plagued by
drought. New food practices must be carried out: not only individual
changes, but in the community in order to create an "eco-genic"
environment. School cafeterias are an ideal setting to promote
sustainable living. First of all, numbers have their impact, as we are
talking about hundreds, if not thousands of meals served every day.
Secondarily, lunch at school has an educative value, ad the younger can
learn why and how to act in a sustainable manner.
The water Footprint Extensive Calculator determines the collective
impact of a lunch prepared for 1364 customers by the Centralized Kitchen
of Quarrata, a small town near Pistoia, Tuscany,. The "water consuming"
lunch results in a 995 m3 water footprint, with 70% of it due to meat
products. The "water fiendly" alternative provides a 67% reduction of
water footprint, while providing a balanced meal of our culinary
tradition.
