Anthony Fardet, Doctor of Human Nutrition and Claire Planchat, Doctor of Sociogeography, INRAE (testimonial from the “INRAE for healthy, sustainable food in school catering” – 2025 dossier)
We set up the PLAN’EAT Kids living lab to study the eating habits of children aged 6 to 15. This living lab brings together around 300 children and more than 60 stakeholders. We are co-constructing actions to help children adopt healthier and more sustainable eating habits by taking into account both their individual constraints and their food environment. For example, they are offered quality local meat and a vegetarian menu. The role of the researcher in a living lab is primarily that of observer, facilitator and host. The holistic, iterative approach enables us to move forward together. We also design experiments and action protocols to find levers to implement actions devised by the group. The professional players ask their questions, and we support them in their reality on the ground. Concrete cases and theories are thus combined for the food transition.
Testimonial from our thematic dossier
Thematic dossier
INRAE for healthy and sustainable food in school catering
In France, the challenges of school catering now go beyond simply providing a meal. In addition to the educational challenge of fostering healthy eating habits in future adults, there are public health, food safety and environmental issues to consider. The introduction of organic, quality and sustainable products in the canteen is now a priority. Nutritionists, sociologists, agronomists and economists from INRAE are helping to draw up, implement and evaluate public policies in this highly regulated sector.
