Pesa I pensa (Weight and Think)

The methodology of the project enables children to be co-responsible for decisions such as whether to have a whole second helping or eat more bread or fruit. The teaching staff that set Weigh and Think into motion considers that the children’s first-hand experience, when they can make their own decisions, is an efficient and everlasting learning tool that will help them be critical food consumers. Weigh and Think has been created to enable children and youths to internalise a good habit that will accompany them throughout their whole lives, which they will also pass on to their families. The pilot test got underway in 2014. From the second month onwards and in a sustained way, food wastage in school dining rooms was reduced by 35% and waste’ generation dropped by 50%. The Weigh and Think method consists of five steps:
- separate into four bins (trash bin, inedible organic waste, edible organic waste, water);
- weigh every day in a systematic and precise manner;
- record data by means of an app: meals served, waste generated etc;
- think: analyse data related to the generated waste;
- propose: set targets to be achieved with the children.
The Campos Estela has estimated that wastage could be reduced by 75 tonnes of food every day, given that this project could contribute to a 5% reduction of the total amount of food wasted in Catalonia.