The “pasta revolution” in Carmagnola's school cafeterias

The project for the redevelopment of the school canteens in Carmagnola is becoming concrete, linked to the future management of the canteen service, with new layouts and furnishings and - above all - with the possibility of cooking pasta and first courses on site, so as to serve them cooked on the spot.

The Municipality of Carmagnola has recognized the "public interest" of the public-private partnership proposal presented in recent months by Euroristorazione, the company that currently manages the city's canteens. The proposal involves a comprehensive renovation of the kitchens and dining halls, with new furnishings and the creation of cooking stations directly in the city's various schools.

"This would be a significant improvement for all our school students, as it would improve the quality, including the organoleptic quality, of the food served, making it more appetizing and using pasta with less gluten," explain Mayor Ivana Gaveglio and Deputy Mayor Alessandro Cammarata, Councilor for Education.

"As required by law, other operators can now submit their own proposals for the same project, so that the Administration can compare them, including from a financial standpoint, and proceed with the awarding of the service for the next 2027-2028 school year," they specify.

To date, in fact, all meals arrive pre-cooked, prepared in the Euroristorazione cooking center at Via Casalgrasso 27 in the Motta district and then transported to the various canteens using special vehicles (except for the Craveri nursery school and the nursery schools in Zona Lame and Ronco).

The proposal on the table, however, includes the activation of cooking points in other nursery schools in Casanova and Tuninetti as well as in the various primary school buildings in Corso Sacchirone, in Salsasio and in San Bernardo, with the installation of induction hobs and pasta cookers to be able to cook using raw ingredients.

The project also includes maintaining the kitchens at the Ronco and Mirò preschools, while the "Craveri" nursery school will be included in the future outsourced management and will therefore be excluded from the new school cafeteria tender. The new preschool under construction on Via Quintino Sella will also have its own kitchen.

This isn't the only new development planned, however: Euroristorazione also proposes to redevelop school cafeteria spaces, starting with noise reduction measures, addressing a problem often reported by teachers and families.

Other work will include installing air conditioning systems with heat pumps or ventilation equipment; replacing equipment, tables, and chairs where necessary; and updating lighting and flooring.

The first upgrades will be carried out in the summer of 2027, and the project is therefore scheduled for completion within the next two years. The new service concession will last nine years.

The cooking center on Via Casalgrasso will remain operational for the preparation and delivery of other dishes included in the daily menus. Euroristorazione's entire supply chain will be based on food safety, quality, hygiene, traceability, and sustainability.

"We hope to make a significant improvement in the canteen service in all schools in the city and its surrounding areas," Gaveglio and Cammarata conclude. "After increasing the pasta weight on plates for students in grades 3, 4, and 5, which was confirmed again this year, this is a further sign of our commitment and constant attention to our students and their families."