Benevento school canteen service dispute

In Benevento, the postponement of school canteen services has triggered a political dispute. Opposition councilors have criticized the Mastella administration, describing the delay as a “fiasco” that causes hardship for hundreds of families and necessitates last-minute schedule reorganizations by school administrators.

The opposition has alleged a lack of transparency, claiming parents were informed via notices posted outside schools rather than through official municipal communication. They have called for apologies from the Mayor and the delegate for education, Marcello Palladino, citing concerns regarding the structural capacity of the Beltiglio cooking center.

Local officials at Palazzo Mosti have downplayed the situation, stating the delay stems from logistical and organizational requirements rather than hygiene or sanitary issues. The administration has scheduled the service to resume on Tuesday, October 13.

The situation in Benevento is part of a broader trend of school canteen service disruptions across various Italian municipalities. While Benevento manages its organizational delays, other regions face different challenges, such as rising meal tariffs in Vasto, tender cancellations in Messina, and safety-related postponements in San Severo.