Students in several schools across the provinces of Lucca, Florence and Prato sat down to a special Palestinian-themed lunch on Thursday, December 11, pasta with tomato and bay leaf, chickpea falafel and raw vegetables. The meal was part of “Flavors for Peace,” a program designed to introduce children to different cultures through food. What was intended as a simple educational initiative quickly stirred a heated political debate.
Matteo Scannerini, Forza Italia’s group leader in the opposition, criticized the move, accusing local administrators of turning school cafeterias into “spaces for propaganda.” He argued that while culinary diversity is welcome, referencing an ongoing conflict in a school setting is inappropriate.
But “Qualità & Servizi,” the catering company behind the program, rejected the accusations. The project, they explained, aims to promote peace, inclusion and cultural exchange. The participating municipalities echoed this sentiment, insisting that the initiative carries no political agenda.
The Palestinian menu is the first of three themed lunches. An Ukrainian-inspired meal is planned for February 11, followed by a Sudanese one on April 10, each designed to introduce students to new flavors while prompting reflection on the human impact of contemporary conflicts.