DESPAR Italia is continuing to provide opportunities and support for local communities through its "Le Buone Abitudini" school education and participation in the "Ortofrutteto Solidale Diffuso" campaign.

Celebrating 20 years of impact in schools

This year, DESPAR Italia’s “Le Buone Abitudini” initiative marks its 20th anniversary. The initiative has impacted over 3,000 schools and 150,000 primary school pupils across Italy, promoting healthy eating and exercise among children. Founded in 2006 by DESPAR Italia partner DESPAR Nord, “Le Buone Abitudini” has grown into a nationwide initiative across 1,500 municipalities.

The initiative supports children throughout their time in primary school. At the heart of the initiative is the free digital platform dedicated to teachers, with courses and materials available to suit children of different ages. Food education courses have been created with a team of specialists and designed in line with the Italian national guidelines of the Ministry of Education and Merit.

In celebrating 20 years, “Le Buone Abitudini” has launched a new visual identity designed to make the four core pillars of the initiative – eating healthy, exercise, living ecologically, and thinking positively – stronger and more recognisable. The website of the initiative is also being enhanced to provide a more seamless experience for teachers. In schools, new recreational-educational workshops will also strengthen the presence of the initiative in classrooms.

Supporting agriculture

DESPAR Italia and the six companies which make up the consortium are part of the “Ortofrutteto Solidale Diffuso” campaign by AzzeroCO2 and Legambiente. The project, which started in October, will see the planting of about 3,400 plants across 26,000m² of space throughout Italy. As part of the project, plants including fruit trees, saffron bulbs, lavender, aromatic and horticultural plants will be introduced. The project will also include training and inclusion courses to grow skills for people in need.

This initiative is an evolution of DESPAR Italia’s “Bosco Diffuso DESPAR” project, launched in 2023, which has led to the planting of over 4,500 trees in various Italian regions and the creation of new green areas. By joining the “Ortofrutteto Solidale Diffuso” campaign, DESPAR Italia adds a new dimension through the opportunity for training, inclusion, and participation for the people involved.

Source: DESPAR Italia

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About SPAR Italy

SPAR Italy, known locally as DESPAR Italia, was first granted the SPAR brand licence in 1959. The first store opened in 1960, making SPAR the first partnership of retailers and wholesalers to operate in the country. In addition, SPAR Italy grants sub-licences to regional partners, all of whom work together to grow the brand across the country. As a limited liability consortium, DESPAR Italia aims to provide itself with a corporate structure with a more efficient and flexible organisational structure. The central office places a strong emphasis on own brand product sourcing, supplementing the buying power of the consortium in the market.