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

Kód výsledku v 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>

Výsledek na webu

<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>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

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

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

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.

Název v anglickém jazyce

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

Popis výsledku anglicky

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.

Druh

J_SC - Článek v periodiku v databázi SCOPUS

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

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

Projekt

<a href="/cs/project/QL24020332" target="_blank" >QL24020332: Potenciál uplatnění bioprodukce a místní produkce v rámci udržitelného veřejného stravování</a><br>

Návaznosti

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

Rok uplatnění

2025

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

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

Název periodika

Bodenkultur

ISSN

0006-5471

e-ISSN

2719-5430

Svazek periodika

76

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

1

Stát vydavatele periodika

AT - Rakouská republika

Počet stran výsledku

14

Strana od-do

63-76

Kód UT WoS článku

—

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

2-s2.0-105026397359