Alimentação Saudável e Sustentável (ABAAE)

Alimentação Saudável e Sustentável gives schools across Portugal educational content, practical activities and structured challenges to help students and staff adopt healthier and more sustainable food habits. It's coordinated by the Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação (ABAAE), the organisation that runs the Eco-Schools Programme in Portugal, and it works directly with the schools. Its ongoing activities include the Eco-Ementas (Eco-Menus) registration, which invites schools to develop menus that are healthy, sustainable and tasty. There is also the Eco-Cozinheiro (Eco-Cook) challenge, which recognises schools and students for outstanding contributions to sustainable food practices. New challenges are launched each school year to keep schools engaged. Teachers and students also get tips, recommendations and useful links to support them in exploring food sustainability topics. The project's website posts news of award winners, upcoming challenges and general information and inspiration on sustainable eating. Because the project sits within the wider Eco-Schools framework, it helps schools build environmental education into daily school life. It encourages long-term behavioural change around food choices, waste reduction and awareness of sustainable diets. It also connects food, health and sustainability topics with the school community, and helps the next generation make more conscious and responsible decisions about food.