Exchange of Experience in Riga – Inspiration for More Sustainable School Catering!
On April 20, 2026, the Latgale Planning Region, within the framework of the project “SchoolFood WasteSolutions,” organized an experience exchange visit to Riga State Gymnasium No. 3. The event brought together project partner teams and representatives of pilot schools from Latgale. The aim of the visit was to explore sustainable solutions in school catering, with a particular focus on buffet-style lunch organization and reducing food waste.
During the visit, participants had the opportunity to observe firsthand how the school cafeteria provides meals in a buffet format, implemented by the catering company SIA Žaks-2. This approach allows students to choose their preferred portion sizes and food combinations while encouraging a responsible attitude toward food.
The experience exchange visit provided valuable insight into the practical aspects of organizing catering—from food serving to efficient flow management and collaboration with students. Discussions with catering providers addressed everyday challenges as well as successful solutions that help ensure a high-quality catering process.
Special attention was given to reducing food waste. As noted by project representatives, buffet-style catering significantly decreases the amount of unused food, as students take only as much as they can eat. This approach not only reduces waste but also promotes students’ understanding of responsible decision-making and a sustainable lifestyle.
Project manager Ruta Priede emphasized:
“Heartfelt thanks to the school staff, the principal, and the catering team for their warm welcome! It is extremely valuable to learn from professionals who work daily in a school cafeteria. Students are offered buffet-style lunches, and very soon—hopefully in the next school year—this model will also be introduced in four pilot schools in Latgale and two schools in Estonia.”
The visit served as an important source of inspiration for further project activities aimed at implementing self-service catering solutions in educational institutions. It is expected that the experience gained within the project will help improve the quality of school catering while reducing food waste and promoting environmentally friendly thinking among the younger generation.
The “SchoolFood WasteSolutions” project continues to foster cooperation between educational institutions and catering service providers in Latvia and abroad, strengthening the shared goal of sustainable, high-quality, and responsible school catering.
The project is co-funded by the European Union. The Interreg Central Baltic Programme 2021–2027 promotes cross-border cooperation to jointly address current challenges and to build a sustainable, innovative, and inclusive Central Baltic region.
