Responsible food management, also reflected in low quantities of discarded food, is very important for sustainable supply of food and various resources for the population. Projects that promote responsible food management are currently underway in Slovenia. One of such projects is Hrana ni za tja v en dan (Food should not be wasted). The purpose of the master’s thesis was to determine whether or not secondary school students participating in the Hrana ni za tja v en dan project develop a more positive attitude to food than secondary school students that do not participate in this project. Using the results of the study, we can develop proposals for activities for secondary school students, aimed at promoting responsible and sustainable food management.
I have determined that secondary school students consider flavour and quality of food, as well as its popularity, as the most important, as they listed these factors as the most common reasons for discarded food. Secondary school students’ proposals for reducing the quantities of discarded food were as follows: food should be served in lower quantities; their wishes should be considered in menu preparation; excess food should be distributed among them or those that are in need of food. The study showed that secondary school students participating in the project develop a more positive attitude to food, are aware of the environmental effects of discarded food, and discuss the problems of discarded food in school, which affects their opinions. However, it is difficult to change their behaviour.
In my assessment, more activities are required regarding discarded food that would contribute to more sustainable behaviour, schools need to implement concrete measures regarding snacks and lunches, adjust portion sizes, and consider the wishes of secondary school students that follow the guidelines of healthy diet when selecting the types of food.
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