This study aimed to clarify the change in stockpiles before and after the Great East Japan Earthquake (thereafter, 3.11) and preparedness to natural disaster in nursery schools in a metropolitan area. A group interview was held in August 2012 at a private nursery school in a government-ordinance-designated city. The participants included a registered dietitian and a nurse who were city employees and the principal, a nurse, and a dietitian who worked for a private nursery school. As a result, it had great improvements of stocks in quantity and quality in both public and private nursery schools. For example, these nursery schools began to build stockpiled foods which are safe for people with allergies. Stockpiles were placed indoors and outdoors. In addition, city provides items of stockpiles for all public nursery schools in this area.On the other hand, about the private nursery school began to build stockpiles according to their meal plans for 3 days. There is a need to carry out food-related disaster drills, for instance, to eat stockpiled foods at schools, mass food preparation without use of utilities. On 3.11, stockpiled foods were eaten not only by children but also staff and guardians who had walked a long way to pick up their children from their workplace due to a disrupted transportation system.
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