Cost implications of replacing imported apples with local and organic alternatives in Czech school meals

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60076658%3A12220%2F25%3A43910864" target="_blank" >RIV/60076658:12220/25:43910864 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.sciendo.com/article/10.2478/boku-2025-0005" target="_blank" >https://www.sciendo.com/article/10.2478/boku-2025-0005</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/boku-2025-0005" target="_blank" >10.2478/boku-2025-0005</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Cost implications of replacing imported apples with local and organic alternatives in Czech school meals

Original language description

The inclusion of organic and locally grown foods in school meal programs has recently gained attention with the focus on improving child nutrition, supporting local agriculture, and reducing the environmental impacts. This research examines the financial implications of replacing imported conventional apple shares with locally grown conventional and organic apples in Czech school meals for children aged 7–10 and 11–14. Using real cost data and typical meal compositions, several substitution scenarios were modeled, including full replacement of apples and partial (5% of the meal portion) inclusion of local organic apples. Findings revealed that even at the complete replacement of imported apples with local organic apples, the total meal price increased by a small percentage (1.67%–1.89%) depending on the age group. The introduction of 5% share of organic apples resulted in minimal cost increases (0.54%–1.27%). These results are contrary to the public assumption that local and organic food sourcing imposes unsustainable costs on public institutions. The results also provide a feasible pathway for stepwise school meal reform in the Czech Republic. The study confirmed that gradual integration of organic produce is cost-friendly and supports goals related to child nutrition, regional food nutrition, and environmental sustainability.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_SC - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the SCOPUS database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

40106 - Agronomy, plant breeding and plant protection; (Agricultural biotechnology to be 4.4)

Project

<a href="/en/project/QL24020332" target="_blank" >QL24020332: The potential of applying of organic production and local production in the sustainable public catering</a><br>

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Bodenkultur

ISSN

0006-5471

e-ISSN

2719-5430

Volume of the periodical

76

Issue of the periodical within the volume

1

Country of publishing house

AT - AUSTRIA

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

63-76

UT code for WoS article

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EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-105026397359