On the 1st School Canteens Meeting (Valencia)

Last Updated on 17 de July de 2026 by S22 Digital

On 20 November 2025, the emblematic Veles e Vents venue, at the Marina de Valencia, hosted the 1st School Canteens Meeting – “The school canteen, a right of childhood”, organised by the Secretaría General de Consumo y Juego (General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs and Gaming). The event brought together education officials, public administrations, catering companies, family organisations (parents’ associations), nutritionists and other experts involved in improving the school canteen service.

Programme and Development of the Meeting

The day began at 10:00 with reception and accreditation, followed by the welcome at 10:30 by Juan Manuel Beltrán Garrido, Director-General of Public Health of the Generalitat Valenciana. Next, there was a dialogue with the participation of Elena Altieri, Head of the Behavioural Insights Unit of the World Health Organization, and Andrés Barragán Urbiola, Secretary-General for Consumer Affairs and Gaming of the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda.

The first debate panel (11:00–12:30) focused on “Working towards healthy and sustainable food in school canteens”. Moderated by Ana María López-Santacruz Serraller (Executive Director of the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition, AESAN), it featured the participation of experts from AESAN, the Ministry of Health, the Generalitat Valenciana and the Public Health Secretariat of Catalonia.

After a break and networking (12:30–13:00), interactive sessions (13:00–14:15) were held presenting good practices in agroecological school canteens, municipal programmes, educational projects and public food procurement experiences.

The afternoon (15:30–17:00) hosted the second panel entitled “For canteens for everyone”, moderated by Carlos Martínez Núñez (Chief of Staff of the General Secretariat for Consumer Affairs). Representatives from academia, food service companies, family associations and public administration took part.

The closing was scheduled for 17:00 with an address by Pablo Bustinduy, Minister of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda.

The Meeting served as a relevant forum for discussing school meals from the perspectives of health, sustainability, inclusion and children’s rights. Some key conclusions drawn from the event:

• The school canteen is increasingly seen as an educational space, not just a place to eat: it is about instilling healthy habits, promoting local/proximity produce and reducing inequalities.
• The good practices shown (agroecological models, municipal programmes, green public procurement) offer paths already taken that can be scaled up.
• Inclusion and equity were key themes: the challenge of “canteens for everyone” means thinking about adapted menus, universal access and attention to the diversity of the student body.
• Although the minister’s absence took away some institutional visibility, it reinforced the idea that real change happens through practice and collaboration between stakeholders (administrations, schools, companies, families).
• Looking ahead, it is worth driving the effective implementation of the regulatory frameworks under way (such as those linking balanced menus, seasonal food and sustainability criteria) and ensuring that the good ideas presented do not remain isolated experiences.