Enhancing Food Security Through Green Canteen Initiatives
A Case Study of the Role of Elementary Schools in Sustainable Nutrition Education
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21787/jbp.17.2025-2576Keywords:
Green Canteen, Food Security, Sustainable Nutrition Education, Sustainable Development Goals, Asta CitaAbstract
The problem of child nutrition in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, remains a serious issue due to the triple burden of malnutrition. Although Indonesia has made progress in reducing malnutrition rates, challenges persist in addressing stunting, undernutrition, and childhood obesity. Socioeconomic factors and unhealthy dietary patterns further exacerbate these conditions. Sustainable nutrition education in schools, implemented through green canteen initiatives, serves as a strategy to introduce healthy eating habits from an early age. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the national program Asta Cita, where sustainable nutrition education contributes to strengthening children’s food security. This study aims to explore initiatives for implementing green canteens in primary schools as a means of providing healthy food and promoting sustainable nutrition education to enhance students’ food security. A qualitative approach was employed with data obtained through interviews, observations, and documentation, and analyzed through reduction, display, and conclusion drawing. The results indicate that green canteens contribute to enhancing students’ food security by fostering healthy eating habits and improving nutrition literacy. Furthermore, the success of the program depends greatly on the involvement of schools, teachers, students, and parents. These findings reinforce the strategic role of elementary schools as key agents in promoting food security and sustainable nutrition education at the local level.Downloads
References
Amorim, A. L. B. de, Ribeiro Junior, J. R. S., & Bandoni, D. H. (2020). National School Feeding Program: Strategies to Overcome Food Insecurities During and After the COVID-19 Pandemic. Revista de Administração Pública, 54(4), 1134–1145. https://doi.org/10.1590/0034-761220200349x
Butcher, L. M., O’Sullivan, T. A., Ryan, M. M., Lo, J., Nyanjom, J., Wilkins, H. C., & Devine, A. (2021). To Dine In or Not to Dine In: A Comparison of Food Selection and Preparation Behaviours in Those With and Without Food Security. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 32(S2), 267–282. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.427
Cangussu Botelho, F., França Junior, I., Dias da Silva Guerra, L., Ferrari Rodrigues, S., & Vicente Tonacio, L. (2020). Scientific Literature on Food and Nutrition Security in Primary Health Care: A Scoping Review. Global Public Health, 15(12), 1902–1916. https://doi.org/10.1080/17441692.2020.1783565
Coady, O. R., Styles, S. E., & Smith, C. (2025). Barriers and Enablers to Providing Healthy Food and Beverages in New Zealand Secondary School Canteens. Health Promotion International, 40(1). https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daaf011
Cotton, W., Dudley, D., Peralta, L., & Werkhoven, T. (2020). The Effect of Teacher-Delivered Nutrition Education Programs on Elementary-Aged Students: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Preventive Medicine Reports, 20, 101178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101178
Dacunha, C., Ng, E., & Elton, S. (2022). The School Food Solution: Creating a Healthy School Food Environment With Canada’s Food Guide. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 12(1), 157–169. https://doi.org/10.5304/jafscd.2022.121.010
Dahmani, J., Teil, F., Pouyfaucon, M., Gaignaire, A., Nicklaus, S., & Marty, L. (2024). Effects of a Short Food Education Program Implemented at School Canteens on Children’s Acceptance of Plant-Based Food: A Quasi-experimental Study. Food Quality and Preference, 115, 105104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2024.105104
Delaney, T., Jackson, J., Lecathelinais, C., Yoong, S. L., Wolfenden, L., Sutherland, R., Webb, E., & Wyse, R. (2023). Exploratory Analysis of a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Multi-strategy Intervention Delivered via Online Canteens on Improving the Nutritional Quality of Primary School Students’ Pre-ordered Foods & Drinks at Recess. Appetite, 185, 106528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2023.106528
Devine, L. D., Gallagher, A. M., Briggs, S., & Hill, A. J. (2023). Factors That Influence Food Choices in Secondary School Canteens: A Qualitative Study of Pupil and Staff Perspectives. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1227075
Ernawati, F., Syauqy, A., Arifin, A. Y., Soekatri, M. Y. E., & Sandjaja, S. (2021). Micronutrient Deficiencies and Stunting Were Associated with Socioeconomic Status in Indonesian Children Aged 6–59 Months. Nutrients, 13(6), 1802. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13061802
Evenhuis, I. J., Jacobs, S. M., Vyth, E. L., Veldhuis, L., de Boer, M. R., Seidell, J. C., & Renders, C. M. (2020). The Effect of Supportive Implementation of Healthier Canteen Guidelines on Changes in Dutch School Canteens and Student Purchase Behaviour. Nutrients, 12(8), 2419. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12082419
Follong, B. M., Verdonschot, A., Prieto-Rodriguez, E., Miller, A., Collins, C. E., & Bucher, T. (2022). Nutrition Across the Curriculum: A Scoping Review Exploring the Integration of Nutrition Education Within Primary Schools. Nutrition Research Reviews, 35(2), 181–196. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954422421000111
Gamba, R. J., Schmeltz, M. T., Ortiz, N., Engelman, A., Lam, J., Ampil, A., Pritchard, M. M., Santillan, J. K. A., Rivera, E. S., Wood, L. M., Ingram, D., Cheyne, K., & Taylor, S. (2021). ‘Spending All This Time Stressing and Worrying and Calculating’: Marginal Food Security and Student Life at a Diverse Urban University. Public Health Nutrition, 24(10), 2788–2797. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021001300
Hadi, H., Triastanti, R. K., Anggraeni, D., Nurwanti, E., Lewis, E. C., Colon-Ramos, U., Kang, Y., Yamaguchi, M., & Gittelsohn, J. (2022). The Role of the School Food Environment in Improving the Healthiness of School Canteens and Readiness to Reopen Post COVID-19 Pandemic: A Study Conducted in Indonesia. Journal of Public Health Research, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/jphr.2021.2287
Handayani, P., Hanum, G. R., Supriyadi, S., Mahaputra, M. B., & Habib, A. K. (2023). Enhancing School Canteen Practices: A Catalyst for Healthier and Ethical Student Snacking. Indonesian Journal of Cultural and Community Development, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.21070/ijccd.v14i2.967
Haynes, A., Morley, B., Dixon, H., Scully, M., McAleese, A., Gascoyne, C., Busbridge, R., Cigognini, M., Regev, I., & Wakefield, M. (2021). Secondary School Canteens in Australia: Analysis of Canteen Menus From a Repeated Cross-Sectional National Survey. Public Health Nutrition, 24(4), 696–705. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980020003535
Holloway, T. P., Jayasinghe, S., Dalton, L., Kilpatrick, M. L., Hughes, R., Patterson, K. A. E., Soward, R., Burgess, K., Byrne, N. M., Hills, A. P., & Ahuja, K. D. K. (2023). Enhancing Food Literacy and Food Security through School Gardening in Rural and Regional Communities. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(18), 6794. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20186794
Kadaryati, S., Prasetyaningrum, Y. I., Sukismanto, & Anggraeni, Y. S. (2024). Analysis of User Needs in Organizing a Healthy Canteen at School. International Conference on Health Sciences, 11(1), 143–150. https://doi.org/10.29238/ICHS.V11I1.2612
Kasumba, H. (2022). Assessing the Educational Role of School Gardens in Primary Schools in Chris Hani District, South Africa. Ponte Journal, 78(10). https://doi.org/10.21506/j.ponte.2022.10.4
Lalita, A. N., Khoiriani, I. N., Rahmah, H. A., Prasetyo, T. J., Sulistyaning, A. R., & Wicaksari, S. A. (2024). Perbedaan Jenis Transportasi ke Sekolah, Aktivitas Fisik dan Status Gizi pada Anak Sekolah Dasar di Perdesaan dan Perkotaan Kabupaten Banyumas. Jurnal Gizi Dan Kuliner (Journal of Nutrition and Culinary), 4(2), 43–52. https://doi.org/10.24114/jnc.v4i2.63143
Lorenz-Walther, B. A.-S., & Langen, N. (2020). Sustainable Changes in a Worksite Canteen: An Exploratory Study on the Acceptance of Guests. Journal of Cleaner Production, 259, 120737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.120737
Matondang, R. J. A., & Yuliaty, M. (2024). Unhealthy Snacking Habits Are Prevalent Among Elementary School Students. Business Economic, Communication, and Social Sciences Journal (BECOSS), 6(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.21512/becossjournal.v6i1.10828
Njura, H. J., Kaberia, I. K., & Taaliu, S. T. (2020). Effect of Agricultural Teaching Approaches on Skills Development for Food Security: A Case of Secondary Schools in Embu County, Kenya. The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension, 26(3), 239–252. https://doi.org/10.1080/1389224X.2019.1680401
Onur, O. O., Nomikos, G. N., Nomikos, N. N., Gerda, S. A., & Paleviciute, G. A. (2021). The Role of Nutrition Education in School-Age Children in the Prevention of Global Obesity Epidemic. American Journal of Public Health Research, 9(3), 114–119. https://doi.org/10.12691/ajphr-9-3-5
Patriota, E. S. O., Abrantes, L. C. S., Figueiredo, A. C. M. G., Pizato, N., Buccini, G., & Goncalves, V. S. S. (2024). Association Between Household Food Insecurity and Stunting in Children Aged 0-59 Months: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cohort Studies. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13609
Pongcharoen, T., Rojroongwasinkul, N., Tuntipopipat, S., Winichagoon, P., Vongvimetee, N., Phanyotha, T., Sukboon, P., Muangnoi, C., Praengam, K., & Khouw, I. (2024). South East Asian Nutrition Surveys II (SEANUTS II) Thailand: Triple Burden of Malnutrition Among Thai Children Aged 6 Months to 12 Years. Public Health Nutrition, 27(1), e152. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980024000053
Putra, D. P., Riantina, A., Nurindalia, B., Juniarti, Kirana, T. A., Mayang, D. I., Idris, H., Flora, R., Misnaniarti, & Hasyim, H. (2023). The Role of Food Security in the Incident of Stunting in Toddlers. Community Medicine and Education Journal, 4(3), 367–372. https://doi.org/10.37275/cmej.v4i3.405
Putri, T. N., Sujana, O. M., Hastika, N., Azizah, D. N., & Dewi, N. P. (2024). Pendampingan Pengembangan Eco-Canteen di SMAN 1 Padalarang Sebagai Strategi Menuju Sekolah Sehat dan Berkelanjutan. Jurnal Pengabdian Tri Bhakti, 6(2), 105–116. https://doi.org/10.70825/jptb.v6i2.2313
Rachmadewi, A., Soekarjo, D., Maehara, M., Alwi, B., Mulati, E., & Rah, J. H. (2021). School Canteens in Selected Areas in Indonesia: A Situation Analysis. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 42(2), 225–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/03795721211008021
Rahmiwati, A., Febry, F., Etrawati, F., Sari, I. P., Yeni, Sabila, V. P., Prautami, E. S., & Maretalinia. (2025). Food Hygiene and Sanitation of the University Canteens in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia. Kesmas: Jurnal Kesehatan Masyarakat Nasional, 20(2). https://doi.org/10.7454/kesmas.v20i2.2221
Ramos, F. G. D., & Despojo, A. G. B. (2025). Food Safety Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of School Canteen Food Handlers in the District of Maria, Siquijor, Philippines. Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, 3(3), 331–341. https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2024.0586
Sanggelorang, Y., Sebayang, F. A. A., Malonda, N. S. H., & Rumayar, A. A. (2024). Insights Into Childhood Malnutrition: An Analysis on Food Vulnerability and Stunting Using 2021 Indonesian Nutritional Status Survey Data. Media Gizi Indonesia, 19(3), 282–290. https://doi.org/10.20473/mgi.v19i3.282-290
Sousa, J. M., Teixeira, A. C., & Liz Martins, M. (2025). Assessment of Food Sustainability in School Canteens: Menu Quality and Environmental Performance. Sustainability, 17(12), 5346. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125346
Tan, P. Y., Som, S. V., Nguyen, S. D., Tran, D. T., Tran, N. T., Tran, V. K., Dye, L., Moore, J. B., Caton, S., Ensaff, H., Lin, X., Smith, G., Chan, P., & Gong, Y. Y. (2024). The Role of Complementary Feeding Practices in Addressing the Double Burden of Malnutrition among Children Aged 6–23 Months: Insight from the Vietnamese General Nutrition Survey 2020. Nutrients, 16(19), 3240. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16193240
Thongplew, N., Duangput, N., & Khodkham, S. (2021). Addressing Plate Waste and Consumption Practice at University Canteens: Realizing Green University Through Citizen-Consumers. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, 22(7), 1691–1706. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSHE-02-2021-0056
UNICEF. (2024a). Analisis Lanskap Kelebihan Berat Badan dan Obesitas di Indonesia: Ringkasan Temuan Kunci. In UNICEF. UNICEF.
UNICEF. (2024b). Gambaran Singkat Anak-Anak di Indonesia: Kemajuan, Tantangan, dan Kesenjangan. In UNICEF. UNICEF.
UNICEF Indonesia. (2023). Gizi: Mengatasi Tiga Beban Malnutrisi di Indonesia. UNICEF Indonesia. https://www.unicef.org/indonesia/id/gizi
Widyaningsih, V., Mulyaningsih, T., Rahmawati, F. N., & Adhitya, D. (2022). Determinants of Socioeconomic and Rural–Urban Disparities in Stunting: Evidence From Indonesia. Rural and Remote Health, 22(1), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.22605/RRH7082
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
